Andora Jan Tutvedt, 49

Andora Jan Tutvedt, 49, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011, at the Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, N.J., following a heart attack. Her organs were donated to the Organ Sharing Network of New Jersey, per Andora’s request.

She was born June 10, 1962, in Kalispell to Harold and Shirley Tutvedt. In her youth, she was active in 4-H. While in high school, she was an FFA Sweetheart, danced with the Akekowan drill team and was active in speech and debate. Andora graduated from Flathead High School in 1980.

She attended Montana State University in Bozeman, where she was a Chi Omega and sang in the New Genesis Gospel Choir. She spent her senior year at the University of Georgia in Athens, and graduated in 1984 with a degree in communications from MSU.

Andora started her career in San Diego before moving to Montville, N.J. She worked in human resources and public relations for various firms.

In 1992, she married Gary Needleman at the Stillwater Lutheran Church in Kalispell. 

Andora was passionate about singing and dancing; she enjoyed taking pictures and music. She loved shopping and glamour, fashion and shoes. Later on, she enjoyed gardening, bird houses, frog figurines and the color red.

Andora loved family history, spent significant time in Norway and made it a priority to connect with family there. She was proud to be named after her grandmother Andora, and she had a love of all things Montana. She was vivacious, enthusiastic, creative, friendly and warm.

Andora is survived by her parents, Harold and Shirley Tutvedt; her ex-husband, Gary Needleman; sister, Sarah McClure, and husband, Daniel McClure; brother, Bruce Tutvedt, and wife, Linda Tutvedt; and nieces and nephews, Andora Dale Tutvedt, Colin McClure, Emily Tutvedt, Joel McClure, Nathan McClure and Valerie Gravage.

Andora was preceded in death by two brothers, Bradford Allen and Eric John; as well as her grandparents, Dale and Erlise Phillips, and Hans and Andora Tutvedt.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at the Stillwater Lutheran Church in Kalispell.

Memorial contributions will go to Life Center Northwest, 2307 Stephens Ave., Unit B, Missoula, MT 59801, which promotes organ donation in Montana and Washington, or a charity of your choice.