November 07 1922 February 23 2020
Eric W. Anderson November 07, 1922 – February 23, 2020 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card Sigfred Anderson and his wife, Inetz, emigrated from Sweden, leaving the army to work in the Pennsylvania steel mills in 1904. In poor health from the millwork conditions, Fred went west on the railroad, heading for Arizona. But after a stop in Havre, he got off the train in Ft. Benton, heeding the buzz of free homesteads. Soon Inetz and four children; Ellen, Arnold, Henry and Doris; joined him. While on the homestead in Geraldine, Ester, Ethel, Inez, Edith, Carl, and finally, Eric were born. Eric died at his son’s home in Missoula February 23, 2020. He was 97 years old. Eric attended Sunnyside country school where his sister Doris was the teacher. He then attended Geraldine High School where he served as president of his senior class. Highlights of the years were basketball, band, chorus and appearing in several operettas and dramas. He also sang in a boy’s quartet that entertained in the community. At age 15 Eric gave up his plans of attending Parks Air College in Minnesota when his older brother who wanted to farm was killed. Eric needed to take over the farm because his dad was in too poor health to work. He would go to school half days and then farm for the last half of the day. He started with a two-wheel drive tractor, which made for very slow farming. The necessary farm help he hired sometimes found it difficult to take directions from a teenager. He was bilingual and spoke Swedish with his father until his father’s death in 1949. When World War II raged, Eric tried to join the service several times but that was out of the question because America needed folks to stay and work on the farms. Eric married Betty Morger in 1946 and they raised four children on the farm. Eric was active in the community serving on many committees including the building of the Methodist Church, construction of the bridge over the Missouri River, and paving the road from Geraldine to Ft. Benton. He served on the Clear Lake School Board, the Geraldine School Board, and the Elevator Board. He also served on the Board of the First National Bank and was Vice President and Loan Officer for several years. During his time with the bank he retired from the farm, leaving it in the hands of his son Eric James. Eric was an active member of the Pilgrim Masonic Lodge for 76 years, the Scottish Rite Valley Great Falls for 75 years, the Algeria Shrine for 57 years, and the Royal Order of the Jesters Court 5 for 53 years. Eric’s wife Betty, nine siblings and many nieces and nephews preceded him in death. Surviving are daughter Leslie Anderson of Washington DC, daughter Lynn Anderson of Missoula, daughter Erica Larson (Bill) of Bozeman and son Eric James Anderson (Annabelle) of Missoula. Also surviving are five granddaughters, five great granddaughters, and five great grandsons. Services will be Friday, March 6 at 1:00pm at the Geraldine Cemetery with a fellowship lunch at the Methodist Church after. Memorials on behalf of Eric can be made to Chouteau County Shrine Club for the purpose of transporting children to the Shriner’s Children Hospitals. Mail to Eric J. Anderson, 5113 Pintlar Mountain Court, Missoula, MT 59803. Print Obituary Sign Guestbook Name: Location: Video: Image: Light A Candle Candle 1 Candle 2 Candle 3 Candle 4 Email: Please keep my message private Personal Message: Personal Message (required) Confirm: Submit Guestbook entry
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eric W Anderson November 07 1922 February 23 2020.
Death notice for the town of: Havre, state: Montana