Andrew Bernard Anderson went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 18, 2019, at his home in Helena, Montana with his family present.
Andrew was born to Robert and Lillian Anderson in Havre, Montana on March 20, 1946. He was raised on the family farm at Augusta, Montana and attended Augusta grade school and high school. He enrolled at the Helena Vo-tech where he took a two year course in diesel mechanics. In 1967, he finished the mechanics school, married Karleen Hammer from Lincoln, Montana, in May and left for the Army in August when he got the call from Uncle Sam. Andrew was medically discharged from the Army in 1968 with kidney disease.
Andrew began working in Great Falls as a truck driver while his wife, Karleen, finished nursing school at the new Deaconess Hospital (now Benefis). Daughter Karla Kay was born in Great Falls in 1969 followed by Lisa Marie in 1972. In 1975, Andrew couldn’t resist the call to return to Augusta to join his family in farming and ranching. His little family of 2 girls soon became 3 when Lana Lee was born in 1977. In 1986, Uncle Sam called on him again with a final offer for a Gl bill education and he returned to Helena to attend the Vo-tech once again for auto mechanics.
When he finished schooling he began employment with the GSA motor pool of the Federal Government. He worked there until 1997 when he had to take a medical retirement and began dialysis treatments for kidney failure. In 2000, he received a kidney transplant that lasted for 10 years. After that he returned to home hemodialysis up until his death. While on dialysis, Andy continued with his love for farming and mechanics on his little farm in the Helena valley where he spent many hours fixing and welding on farm machinery—his own and the neighbors.
Andy was very talented with his gifts for mechanics, carpentry, welding, plumbing and electrical work, but his best gift was his family with 51 years of marriage to wife, Karleen, 3 beautiful daughters and 11 special grandchildren that he loved dearly. Andy was a rough, tough cowboy type but with many years of failing health, he became a very kind and gentle person. In his final days, the spiritual gifts of generosity, patience, thankfulness, encouragement and love for others became very evident. These gifts developed with a personal relationship with the Lord when he accepted the free gift of salvation and forgiveness of sin.
Andy realized that God was in control as he survived many episodes of critical illness such as septic shock and chronic kidney rejection requiring several flights to Seattle to save his life over the years. Andy loved all the nurses who cared for him over the years in the dialysis units in Great Falls and Helena. He wanted to thank all the special people who cared for him and especially Dr. Rosenbaum and Dr. Parambi in Great Falls and Dr. Paustian , Dr. Pincomb and Dr. LaClair of Helena.
Andy was a preceded in death by his father, Robert Anderson. He is survived by his mother, Lillian Anderson of Great Falls, his wife, Karleen, daughters Karla (Ross) Butcher, Lisa (Brooks) Hammel, and Lana (Jasan) Moyer. His sisters, Roberta (Keith) King of Corvallis, Oregon; Wanda (Chuck) Pfrimmer of Great Falls, Mt. and brothers Bob (Alice) Anderson of Canyon Creek, Mt. and Larry (Liz) Anderson of Libby, Mt. He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Andy’s bucket list contained a desire to move to Lincoln for retirement but he will now be spending eternity in a much more beautiful place.
A Family receiving Friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena. A Funeral Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 24, 2019 at the Augusta Community Church, 219 Laura St, in Augusta. Burial with Military Honors will follow the service at the Augusta Cemetery with a reception to be held at the Augusta Youth Center after the burial. Memorials can be made to the St. Peters Dialysis Unit and Hospice of St. Peters c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Andy.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday January 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday January 24, 2019
Augusta Community Church
219 Laura St
Augusta, Montana 59410
Burial with Military Honors
After the Funeral
Thursday January 24, 2019
Augusta Cemetery
Augusta, Montana 59410
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday January 24, 2019
Augusta Youth Center
Augusta, Montana 59410
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday January 23, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday January 24, 2019
Augusta Community Church
219 Laura St
Augusta, Montana 59410
Burial with Military Honors
After the Funeral
Thursday January 24, 2019
Augusta Cemetery
Augusta, Montana 59410
Reception
Following the Burial
Thursday January 24, 2019
Augusta Youth Center
Augusta, Montana 59410
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Arlyn and Pearle Plowman says
Karleen and family. We are so saddened to hear of Andy’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. We pray for Peace for you, as he is experiencing the Peace that passes all understanding in the arms of the Lord he loved. We will miss him and cherish our memories of the good man he was.
Donna Mantha says
In the arms of Jesus ,Andy is at rest and peace. My prayers are with you all!
Donna Mantha
Randy and Connie Hendrix says
Connie and I send our deepest sympathies to Karleen and the entire family in their grieving for this wonderful man. We are best friends with Karleen and Andy. I spent many an hour sharing cowboy stories with my friend Andy. Connie and I were both raised in Lincoln. My Dad worked at the Diamond Bar X just a few miles from Andy’s Augusta Ranch. We traveled many of the same trails by horseback. We shared many humorous cowboy stories. Andy was a wonderful kind courageous man. I had a dream of him last night riding on the North property of his ranch running cows and staying in the cabin he so much loved for his summer cow herding. Then I saw him heading up the Dearborn with his pack horse heading for the Chinese Wall and Scapegoat Mountain and into a Light so bright I know it was God waiting to welcome his beloved son. With our deepest heartfelt sympathy and love. Randy and Connie Hendrix
Charlotte and Ayse Mehmke says
We will miss Andy.
Gerald Wearley says
Karleen and Family, just know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Andy is no longer suffering and is now at peace. Will miss his laughter telling stories when we get together. Karleen we are here to help you if you need us. Love and hugs to all of you. Connie, Gerald and family
Beth Stanfill says
Karleen and family I’m so very sorry for your loss. When I called today I was shocked to find out of Andy’s passing. I so enjoyed our talks when I’d come to pick up hay. He was a very kind man. Thank you for the stories Andy, you will be missed. Oh and Andy, Pickles is doing great !! You are all in my thoughts and prayers
Beth Stanfill
Joann Longmire says
Karleen and family, Andy will be greatly missed, my prayers to you. He was a good person and neighbor. Sorry for your loss.
Elli Olson says
Karleen
I am so sorry for your loss. May God keep you and your family in His arms and help you to find peace.
Elli
Jackie Barker says
Karleen and family, many memories of Andy from Augusta. What a nice man. You will surely be missed Andy by so many. Much love to you all Karleen.
Tammy and Justin Wearley says
Kathleen and family we were so sad when we were told of Andy’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. There are just no words to ease your loss and pain. Our condolences are with you and your family
Mary Fagenstrom says
Karleen and Family, our family reaches out to you during this time of loss and grief. We pray that God walks beside you and with you and wraps His loving arms around all of you. We hope you find peace in remembering all the good times you and your family shared with Andy. I remember when we were young and out at the ranch. Andy would try to scare us with his stories about snakes and wolves. Of course, we knew they were not true, but I remember my sister Rita and I would run and scream. Uncle Robert would talk to Andy but later that same day we were running and screaming again. We also want to thank you and Andy for your generosity and support at our wedding-the cake was beautiful. May more memories be shared with you and the girls and their families as well. With Peace and love, Mary, Kurt and Rita
Shawna Stripp says
Lisa Hammel and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad and Grandpa. I hope your cherished memories carry you through this difficult time. I love you all so much.
Shawna and Trenton
paul overgaard says
SO SORRY I AM SURE HE IS WITH HIS DAD ON THE FAR SHORES OF THE JORDAN DRAWING PICTURES IN THE SAND WAITING FOR US
Wanda and Chuck says
I will miss my Brother… but happy he is with Dad… free of pain and suffering ….
Family Quintero ... Nelson, Cheryl, Craig, Nelson & Kiddy says
Dear Karleen and all your family,
What a long hard road Andy traveled, filled with abounding love, freely given and freely received, from family, friends and Our Lord. He was blessed, and was a blessing for so many. May Andy’s soul be blessed, from glory to glory. May you, the girls and their extended families, and Lillian, all be held in Jesus’ tender loving arms, filled with His comfort and peace.
Our love and prayers are with you all, Family Quintero … Nelson, Cheryl, Craig, Nelson & Kiddy
Bud and Sharon Britton says
It is with great sympathy and love to you and your family that we reach out to you with prayers. It is a sobering time when one reflects on life and the courage of loved ones. We feel your appreciation of his courageous life story,
Shari Wenz says
Karleen and family, My thoughts and prayers to you in the loss of Andy. Sincerely, Shari Mirehouse Wenz
Krista (Lundberg) Marshall says
We are going to miss Andy so much. He was a great man. Praying for Karleen and all of his family.
Love the Lundberg/Marshall family
Sally Hinderager says
Karleen and family:
Our sympathy and condolences, we were blessed by his precious testimony in his obituary.
Scott and Sally Taylor Hinderager.
James H Bergstrom says
The whole Anderson family will always be special to me. You are all kind, caring, giving, good people. Thank You for all you have done. Rest in Peace, Andy.
Sue Williams says
Sending our thoughts and sympathy to you. May the God of all comfort be near to you. What a great testimony was shared and what hope to know Andy is walking with his Lord and Savior right not. Absent from the body, at home with the Lord. What a promise for you all. Andy was a special fellow. Wad and Sue Williams
Bob and Mary Dickinson says
Kathleen and family,
Bob and i were sad to hear of the loss of Andy.
Our love and deepest sympathy are with you.
Philippians 4:8
Bob and Mary Dickinson
Dale and Sharon Converse says
Karleen. We want to express our sympathy for the loss of your loving husband a father and a grandfather. Andy and I were best of friend and would plan many after school times together on the school bus ride. Life has taken us in different directions, but I never go down to the big shed or the Zimmerman place that I don’t recall the times we played together there. I still remember sharing how excited he was when he started that special relationship with you. We often inquired from Don and Linda as to where you were at and how you were doing. We were so blessed to get caught up in Augusta this past September. Andy will be missed, but it is comforting to know that we will all share eternity together. Karleen you and your family will be in our prayers as you go through this time of sorrow.
Edward & Sarah Ostlund says
Condolences from Edward & Sarah Ostlund to Karleen & all your family.
Mrs. Bell says
To the entire family and friends:. My sincere condolences at this time. May your many fond memories of happy times together bring you smiles, and may the words the words of Isaiah 25:8 bring you comfort and peace.
Jeff Lovely says
Bob, Alice and family, i’m sorry to hear of your loss. Much like yourselves, Andy had the gifts of a wonderful and talented person. May he rest in peace. Take good care of yourselves — Jeff
Gary Yaeger says
So sorry for your family’s loss of Andy, Karleen. May God bless your family as you struggle to find your new normal.