Florence (Ost Wood Anderson) Tigges, 92

Florence (Ost Wood Anderson) Tigges, 92, passed away May 10, 2008, at Heritage Place in Kalispell, her home since 2006. She was born May 2, 1916, in Minneapolis, to Charles and Bernice (Cassidy) Ost.

Her father's parents came to Minnesota from Belgium. Her mother's family came from Boston. She was the oldest of six children, with two brothers and three sisters. Florence was always proud of her family and business successes. She graduated from North High School in Minneapolis in 1934.

She was hired by Royal Typewriter Co. as assistant to the cashier.

She married Raymond "Red" Wood in 1937, in Minneapolis. They had one daughter, Patricia Mary Wood. Red was killed in an accident on the Soo Line Railroad seven months later in May 1939. This was the first of many losses Florence would endure over the years.

Three years later, Florence married Edwin "Ed" Oscar Anderson from Clear Lake, Minn. They had two children, Sandra Louise Anderson and Edwin Charles "Bud" Anderson, to join their sister Pat. They all journeyed to Montana in 1946 and purchased land in Bigfork. They started Anderson Masonry, which is a thriving family business today.

The last four Anderson children were born in Kalispell - Shirley Mae, James Arthur, Donald Joseph and Richard Eugene.

Florence loved to cook, and there was nary a visitor to the home that did not anticipate her cinnamon rolls, pies, and sumptuous meals that seem to come from nothing.

Ed finally had a restaurant built for her in 1960, called the Pine Cone Kitchen in Bigfork. Truckers and regulars knew when the rolls came out of the oven or a fresh roast dinner could be had. She created a cookbook for her friends and family to enjoy.

She often seemed to sleep at the wheel delivering wedding cakes, or children to the lake, roller rink, or game while keeping the customers content.

After selling the restaurant, she continued to cook at the Bigfork nursing home, Flathead High School and Kalispell Hospital. She was also active in her church and Eastside Grange since moving to the Flathead Valley.

Her son, Jim, died in an avalanche on Mount Cleveland on Dec. 31, 1969, followed by Ed in 1976, and a grandson, Kristopher Michael Scott, in 1978.

She moved to Kalispell in 1973 and married Ken Tigges, who had also lost two mates. He was a wonderful person in her life, but left her as well in 1990.

She continued quilting, cooking, and swimming until February 2002, when she moved to Prestige Assisted Living. Her latest loss was her son, Bud, who died in May 2005 from a rare protein disorder.

Although she experienced many losses in her life, she also gained her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and the wonderful wives and husbands who have joined the Anderson family.

She will be remembered as matriarch of her large and ever-growing family. She capably rallied all of the Anderson siblings and offspring for birthdays, holidays, and Mother's Day. She cherished her family! She also will be remembered for her generosity, love of family, flavorful cooking, and community involvement.

She was preceded in death by her three husbands; two sons, Jim and Bud; and a grandson, Kristopher Michael Scott.

She is survived by her three daughters, Pat Johnson of Polson, and Sandy Fellows and Shirley Harrison, both of Kalispell; two sons, Don Anderson and wife, Sheri, and Dick Anderson and wife, Michelle, all of Kalispell; 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, one daughter-in-law, Nina Anderson, two brothers, Robert Ost and Roger Ost, and one sister, Kathleen Pohtilla, all of Minneapolis.

Memorial Mass for Florence will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 16, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, with Father Vic Langhans officiating, with a reception afterward. A private burial will take place.

The family suggests memorials be given to a charity of the giver's choice in Florence's name.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Florence's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Florence's guest book.