Anna E. Caldbeck, 85

Anna E. Caldbeck, 85, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2014, at her home in Kalispell.

Anna was born on Sept. 6, 1928, to Trevert and Ethel Sager in Polson. Her father owned his own logging truck so her preschool years were spent with her faithful dog having adventures in logging camps throughout Northwestern Montana. At each new camp the first two things Trevert always did were build an outhouse and put up a tire swing for Anna.

In 1934, the family moved into a house that Trevert built on the west side of Kalispell so that Anna could attend public school. The family remained in Kalispell until Anna's senior year when another logging job took the family to Concrete, Wash., where she graduated from high school.

Anna married E. (Ervin) H. Caldbeck, her husband of 42 years, on Aug. 21, 1948. They lived in Kalispell the majority of their time except when construction jobs took them to live in Wolf Point and Glendive.

In 1971, Anna and Ervin decided it was time to retire their Bell camper and get their own piece of waterfront property on McGregor Lake. Thanks to that decision, 43 years later family and friends continue to enjoy this peaceful spot whenever they can get away.  

Her favorite pastime activities were working jigsaw puzzles, word search games, playing pinochle and crib, flower gardening and knitting. She made beautiful afghans that family and friends still enjoy using.  She was an active league bowler until the year the bowling alley burned down. She always had a dog to keep her company. Her most loyal companion for the past three years was her much-loved Sammy.

Anna's final wish was to die in her own bed at home. Thanks to the wonderful help and excellent care of Home Options Hospice and Loyal Care in Home Assistance, she was able to do that with Sammy faithfully by her side.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Trevert and Ethel Sager; and her husband, E. H. Caldbeck.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy and Bruce Norlander of Kalispell; grandson, Tyler and Jilian Norlander of Kalispell; granddaughter, Andrea and Travis Banyai of Lakeside; and great-grandchildren, Leah and Kadyn Banyai, and Daniyel Norlander.

Cremation has already taken place.

There is no service planned at this time. On July 20, the family will boat out on Lower Thompson Lake and spread Anna's ashes in Ervin’s favorite bass fishing cove. This date is exactly 22 years after Ervin’s ashes were spread in the same location — joining them together forever.

Memorials may be made to the Flathead County Animal Shelter, 1035 First Ave. W., in Kalispell.

Buffalo Hills Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.