Obituary of Beverly Jean Anderson
Beverly Jean Anderson (82) longtime St. Maries, ID resident passed away at Valley Vista Care Center on April 29, 2024. She was born to William and Bernice (Johnson) Nelson on October 13, 1941, in Randall, MN. Bev grew up on a farm in Deer River until the 8th grade. It was the best place to grow up, with the cold winters there are many memories of ice skating on the local ponds or sledding on the nearby hills. In 1955 the family moved to Spokane, WA and Bev graduated from Lewis Clark High School with the class of 1959.
Following high school, Bev went to work for Jensen Byrd Supply company and later Equitable Life Insurance Company. She met Duffer Michael, and they married on April 28, 1961. They made their home in the Emida/Santa areas. The couple had their son Shane, and Bev stayed home to take care of him. He was her pride and joy and she loved him very much. When he was a little older, she went to work for Herb Hills’ cedar mill and then spent 5 years working as a Teacher’s Aide in Clarkia. Later in her life she also worked on the election board in Fernwood and spent several seasons planting seedlings for the Forest Service with her mother. Bev’s marriage to Duffer ended in divorce, but she was later blessed with her partner for life Butch Anderson. The couple married on August 16, 1968, and were complete soulmates. They lived in Fernwood before moving to their forever home on Cassandra Hills. Bev loved their home and quickly made friends with all of their neighbors. She was often called the Mayor of Cassandra Hills. She took pride in her home, and it was completely immaculate from the outside in. Her yard was beautifully groomed as was her earth home.
Bev enjoyed her family and loved spending time with them. Shane was her world, and she was completely ecstatic when her granddaughter Sheena was born; that feeling was only amplified when Sheena had children of her own, making Bev a great-grandmother. When Butch was alive, the couple used to love to travel, specifically to Mexico, and they also enjoyed camping and spending time outdoors. She didn’t often watch tv, but when she did, she loved her soap operas and old westerns. Butch was an avid fisherman, so it only made sense that Bev made the best fried perch and enjoyed having family over for fish frys. When she was younger, she enjoyed riding horses, and was even a talented barrel racer. Bev enjoyed hanging out with her girlfriends; whether it were shopping, going to lunch, or sharing a bottle of wine with a cheese plate, her day was made. She liked to play 31 and was a true gem; a solid rock and go to person for her family and friends.
Bev is survived by her granddaughter Sheena Michael (Derek) and her 3 children Letty, Remy, and Bo; brother Marv (Peg) Nelson of Fernwood, ID; and sister Jeanette Johnson of Spokane, WA.
A Memorial Service will be on Friday, May10, 2024 at 3:00 pm at the Elks Lodge in St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends to share a meal will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W Prairie Ave, Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83815.
