Leota Marie Anderson, 83

On April 1, 2010, Leota Marie Anderson passed away into the arms of the Lord. She was born on Oct. 27, 1926, in Burlington, Iowa, to Albert and Verna Sherer. She was later adopted by Bob and Verna Croskrey. She lived in various towns in Iowa as a young child, and then moved to Kalispell, where she finished through the eighth grade. Her high school years were spent in Washington, where she graduated from Leavenworth in 1946. She then worked at Puget Sound Power and Light and 1st National Bank in Wenatchee, Wash. Leota met her husband, Leonard, while vacationing in Kalispell. She dropped her hanky and he picked it up. They were married on Aug. 29, 1948, in Leavenworth, Wash. They moved to Kalispell in 1949. While in Kalispell, she worked for Consolidated Freightways. Shortly thereafter, they started their family with three daughters, Rita, Carol and Linda, and a son, Lenny. She was a homemaker for many years until going into the second-hand trade. She opened the Next to New Shop around 1974, continuing until 1987. She had a love for rummage sales and thrift stores, but her greatest passion was her family. She always said her children and grandchildren were her life and was thrilled to host many Sunday dinners, holidays, birthdays, anything that would bring everyone all together. She was truly the glue that kept our family close. This has left us with many shoe boxes of pictures and fabulous memories to cherish. As much as she cared and gave to her family, her heart also expanded to many others. She would give what she had to help others, be it a friend or a stranger, and loved giving to children. Leota was preceded in death by her parents; and adoptive parents; sisters, Opal and Betty; and a brother, Orville. She is survived by her husband, Leonard, of Kalispell; three daughters, Rita Bishop and husband, Bob, of Whitefish, Carol Frehse of Kalispell, and Linda Miller and husband, Fred, of Kalispell; a son, Lenny, and his wife, Shauna, of Lakeside; a sister, Shirley Mishler, of Iowa; grandchildren, Leslie (Bishop) Franco, Allyson (Bishop) Crawford, Justin Frehse, Brittney (Frehse) Townsend, Melissa and Jake Miller, Jarrett Sunde, and Cody and Tehya Anderson; and five great-grandchildren. Per her request, a private family graveside service will be held. Please join us in remembering our dear wife, mother, grandmother and friend with a celebration of her life to take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at the Elks Lodge, located at 1820 U.S. 93 South in Kalispell. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be made to the Salvation Army, 110 Bountiful Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901.