Ardis Maren Anderson, 84

Ardis Maren Anderson, 84, passed away Friday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. of mesothelioma cancer in Whitefish Hospital surrounded by loved ones and her beloved dog Pita.

Ardis was born May 17, 1940, In Glasgow, Montana to Alston Emmanuel Rasmussen and Violet Evelyn McMurdo. She married the love of her life Hank William Anderson with his daughter Valerie Lisa on Oct. 5, 1959. She attended elementary school in Whitefish, and transferred to Flathead County High School, working after school at Kalispell General Hospital. 

At age 18 Ardis joined the Marines, finished boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina before transferring to Camp Pendleton, California where she tracked all service at the Motor Pool on the computer. In 1974 Mrs. Field’s and Ardis started a highly successful slow pitch softball team in Columbia Falls. Ardis ran the food bank in Columbia Falls between 1984-1986 and truly enjoyed helping others. Ardis finished training in Electrology April 15, 1987, in California and set up a practice in Columbia Falls. She also worked at Anaconda Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls and Albertsons in Kalispell. Ardis lived a creative life filled with a contagious sense of humor.

She could knit prize-winning Canadian wool sweaters or knit socks with four needles, she will forever be known for her home cooked meals, and homemade baking. Ardis enjoyed taking care of the family farm with her children and many farm animals. Her trip through the Bob Marshall on horseback was one of the highlights of her life.

Ardis is survived by three daughters, Wanda Kay (Bill) Rains, Teresa Marie (Brett) Ready, and Brenda Sue Stewart; six grandchildren, Courtney Suwalski  Cushman, Chase (Leslie) Kolodejchuk, Shaeleen Ready Hopkins, Cody Kolodejchuck, Hank (Anna) Ready, and Christopher Suwalski; nine greatgrandchildren, Landon, Liam and Lucas Cushman, Ava and Trey Hopkins, Remi and Stryker Ready, and Zoey and Tanner Kolodejchuk; and two step great-grandchildren, Kirsten and Alyssa Price. One sister, Merry Rasmussen Proefrock O’Hare; one sister -in-Law, Hazel McWhorter Rasmussen; and a close niece, Susan Cotton Wilson, as well as nine beloved nephews and nieces also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hank William Anderson, her parents, a baby brother, Arlen, twin brother, Arlee Rasmussen, a younger brother, Jim Rasmussen, and sister, Sharon McGee. And a beloved niece, Caroline Wilson, and nephew, Mike Wilson.

A memorial is planned for friends and family in July 2025.