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Dorothy Rita Anderson
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July 13, 1951 ~ April 30, 2013 |
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May 5, 2013 |
Dorothy Rita (Wilson) Anderson, 61, died
peacefully in her sleep on April 30, 2013 at the
Denali Care Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. This
marked the end of her personal battle with
cancer that lasted for over 20 years.
Born prematurely on Friday the July 13, 1951, to
Vernon O. and Vera L. (Holbert) Wilson in
Crawford, Nebraska, she was not expected to
survive. So tiny at birth, she was sent home
carried in a shoebox and diapered with her
father’s handkerchief, she surprised everyone by
beating the odds. The first of many challenges
she would have in this remarkable life.
The family resided in Nebraska until 1964, at
which time they packed up and moved to Naples,
Idaho, where the family farmed until 1969.
Dorothy began school in Scottsbluff, Nebraska,
attending Lincoln Heights Grade School and
transferred to Naples Elementary where she met
her future husband, Ben G. Anderson.
They graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in
1969. Dorothy attended Link’s Business College
for one year before returning to Bonners Ferry
and marrying Ben on August 14, 1970, at Trinity
Lutheran Church.
On March 29, 1972, they welcomed the first of
two children, Tammy. Ted followed two years
later on April 2, 1974. Being “Mom” was one of
the greatest joys of her life.
The family resided in their home in Pleasant
Valley outside of Naples during the school year
but spent summers at various road construction
sites in Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon
while Ben worked for the family business,
Anderson Logging, Inc.
In 1999, with their children grown and looking
for something new to experience, Ben and Dorothy
and their dogs became long-haul truck drivers
and traveled extensively throughout the United
States. In the following years, they would
travel to 49 of the 50 states, missing only
Rhode Island in their journeys. In 2008, Ben
took a job in Fairbanks and they embarked on yet
another adventure.
Dorothy loved Alaska, the beauty, the people,
the fishing and the wildlife. She enjoyed her
job as a school bus attendant, and grew attached
to “her children “on the bus. Even as her health
declined, she would rather go to work than rest
at home.
When not working, she enjoyed making homemade
lotions and soaps with her dear friends Carin
and Holly, reading, gardening, cooking and
visiting family and friends. A true extrovert,
she was the first to talk to strangers wherever
she went.
Her favorite pastime was sitting on the beach,
listening to the ocean waves and per her wishes,
her ashes will be scattered at the ocean in
Alaska.
Dorothy is survived by her loving husband, Ben,
her daughter and son-in-law Tammy and Wally
Barton of Naples, son Ted Anderson of Beaverton
Oregon, the apple of her eye, grandson Tyler
Barton, siblings Jim Wilson, Audrey Adams,
Bonnie Willoughby, Debra Tuott and Vern Wilson
and their spouses, numerous nieces and nephews
and a multitude of family and friends.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents,
sister Ethel Ann, brother Bruce, nephew Robert
and her dear father-in-law, Lowell.
The family would like to express their deep
appreciation for the wonderful medical and
ancillary staff at Kootenai Medical Cancer
Center in Coeur d’Alene, the Fairbanks Memorial
J. Michael Carroll Cancer Treatment Center and
the Denali Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. In lieu
of flowers and gifts, they ask that donations be
made in Dorothy’s name at
http://fairbankshospitalfoundation.com/ or
http://www.kootenaihealth.org.
A Celebration of Life will be planned in June in
Bonners Ferry. Please contact the family for
more information. |
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