Obituary of Everett W. Anderson

Everett W. Anderson (94) lifetime resident of St. Maries, ID, died peacefully at Valley Vista Care Center on February 29, 2012. He was born April 18, 1917 to Axel and Anna Anderson who had emigrated her fro Sweden in 1911. He grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1935. He went on to College where he graduated in Business Administration. During the summer months , while attending college, he was a foreman for the forest service running blister rust and tree planting camps. Following his graduation, he became executive director for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Everett married Margaret E. Kuehn who was teaching at Santa, ID on Dec. 20, 1941 at St. Maries. A few months later, he was drafted into the U.S. Army with the 89th Infantry Division. This division, became part of Patton's Third Army in Europe during the war. He served with that unit for 4 years and was involved in the liberation of one of the concentration camps in Germany. His citations included Rhineland Central Europe, European African, Middle Central Eastern service medal, LIBERTE Victory medal from the French Govt. and a citation from the Commander of the 89th infantry in recognition conspicuously meritorious and outstanding performance of military duty in France and Germany. Following his discharge in 1945, Everett returned to his last position with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. He held that position until his retirement in 1974. Upon his return from the War, Everett became active in community affairs. He was in city administration as councilman and mayor for 14 years. He was a past chairman of the St. Maries School Board. Served as President of the Benewah Co. Cattleman's Assn for 10 years as well as a member of the St. Maries Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1962 and 1968. He served on the Board of Directors of Valley Vista for 10 years and the Benewah Comm. Hospital Better Care Committee. Everett was one of the original organizers of the St. Maries Coop Supply. He represented North Idaho on the Board of Governors, Spokane Unit of the Shriners Hospital for Children. In November of 1989, he became the first Shriner from Calam Temple of North Idaho to achieve emeritus status for his years of dedicated service. Everett was a 59 year member and director of the St. Maries Kiwanis Club . He was also a member of the St. Joe Valley Foundation. Other memberships include the St. Masonic Lodge # 63 AF & AM, the Scottish Rite bodies of Coeur d' Alene and was invested with the decoration and rank of Knight commander of the Court of Honor in 1995. Calam Shrine Temple of Lewiston, the St. Maries Shrine Club and founding member of the St. Maries Crutch Patrol. He also was Past Director of R.O.J. Court # 62 , The Order of Eastern Star and a life-time member of the V.F.W. Post 1390 of St. Maries. Everett was also a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church . He was an "extra" in the movie "Heavens Gate" partly filmed in Wallace, ID. Everett was also selected by the Benewah Co. Centennial Committee to represent the county at the Idaho Centennial in 1990 in Boise. He was the Grand Marshal for Benewah Co. Everett was inducted into the St. Maries High School Wall of Fame in 2000. His wife of 62 years preceded him in death in 2003. He is survived by his son Forrest Anderson of Spokane and one grandson, 2 nieces and 2 nephews. He was also preceded in death by brother Herb Anderson and sister Martha Anderson. Visitation will be Monday, March 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Hodge Funeral Home , St. Maries. Funeral Services will be Tuesday March 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Rev. Spike Shine officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with military rites. A gathering of family and friends will follow back at the Church. The family suggests memorials to Shriners Hospital for Children P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472 Visit his online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.hodgefuneralhome.com Read Everett Anderson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.hodgefuneralhome.com.