Anita Marie Orr, 91
Anita Marie Orr, 91, passed from this life on the morning of Nov. 8, 2022, at her residence in Buffalo Hill Terrace in Kalispell.
Anita was the second child born to Herbert and Beatrice Kester of Wallace, Idaho. She came into the world a few days before Christmas, 1930. Anita spent her childhood in Northern Idaho, Northeastern Oregon and Western Montana. Times were difficult for the family during the Depression. Sometimes her mother had nothing to feed the children but pancakes made from flour and water and the fish they could catch. Anita could run like the wind. She played football with the boys at school. During one game, she ran the wrong way on the field and scored a touchdown for the opposing team!
During the early 1950s, Anita lived and worked as a waitress in Glacier National Park at the original Eddie’s Cafe. In her spare time she enjoyed swimming, sunbathing and socializing with handsome park rangers!
Anita met her future husband and the love of her life in Loma Linda, California, when he came roaring up to the diner where she worked on his big, black Vincent motorcycle. Floyd and Anita were married for 58 years and raised their family in Stevensville, Montana.
Anita was an expert fisherman. She also enjoyed camping and horseback riding. She spent as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren, teaching them to fly fish, drive a car, and other important life skills. She remained a pillar of love and strength throughout their lives. She had a great sense of humor right up to the end and enjoyed playing practical jokes on unsuspecting people, especially on April Fools’ Day!
Anita was very active in the Stevensville Seventh Day Adventist Church, and attended the SDA church in Kalispell during her years there.
Anita was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Leland, David, and Don, and her husband Floyd.
She is survived by her sister Ann (Mike) Nickerson Albany, Oregon, son John (Jeanette) Orr Scottsdale, Arizona, daughter Debra (Anders) Engdahl Kalispell, grandson Tony (Stephanie) Orr Poynette, Wisconsin, granddaughter Lisa (Phil) Roux Peoria, Arizona, six great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Other special people in her life included her best friend Doris Mangold, Pastor Casey and Carmen Higgins, and Roma Ebel.
Anita had a deep and abiding faith in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and looked forward to his soon coming when she will be reunited with her loved ones.
A celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2023 in Stevensville. Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.