Obituary of Mary Lou Andersen
Born in Hardin, MT to Arie and Louise Kamp on Sept. 22, 1930, one of two girls and 4 boys. At the age of 6, the family moved to Harrison Flats and she attended school in Harrison and graduated from St. Maries High School in 1948. In July of the same year, she married Ralph J Andersen and made their home in Coulee City where Ralph worked on construction of the Grand Coulee Dam project. They moved back to the flats and began to raise a family on the property on Rosewood Dr. She worked on the acreage on farming, logging and raising a large garden to feed the growing family. In 1959 they moved to Black Lake property. In 1973 they bought and operated the Cave Lake Resort for the next 4 years. Mary Lou cooked, waited and tended bar with no prior training. They bought the house across the lake where she lived until 2014.
She was active in 4-H for 30 plus years as a leader and a judge for the Benewah County Fair. She was active in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Harrison, helped on school programs, a partner in The Yardstick fabric store, taught sewing for the CDA Tribe for 10 years, worked part time at the CDA Forest Service Tree Nursery.
Mary Lou was very social and involved in many groups too numerous to list. She was always able to help when needed. She loved her garden and flowers. She loved to quilt and made them for all the family and grandkids, each unique and filled with love. Having 9 kids, 29 grandkids and 18 great grandkids made plenty of chance to practice her skills.
Mary Lou was proceeded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, 2 sisters, her husband Ralph of 61 years, youngest son Erik, and 2 grandkids. Survivors include Earl and Jacqui of Harrison Flats, ID Marcia and Chris of Medimont, ID, Don and Marion of Neenah, WI, Dan and Kay of Clarkston, WA, Terri and Gary Pullen of Bandon, OR, Deb and Jay LaKamp of Portland, OR, Joe and Laura of Harrison Flats, ID, Donna Day of Lewiston, ID, Audrey Andersen of Medimont, ID, 27 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be Monday, June 4, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. To 5:00 pm at Hodge Funeral Home, St. Maries, ID with Rosary recited at 7:00 pm at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday June 5th at 11:00 am at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church with interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, St. Maries. A gathering of family and friends will follow graveside services at the Benedictine Hall.
Memorials may be sent to Hope Pregnancy Resource Center 405 W. Cameron , Kellogg, ID 83837 Or Hospice of North Idaho 9493 W. Govt. Way Hayden, ID 83835.
