Mitchel Lewis Anderson, 71, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in Lewiston, at the Kindred Transitional Care and Rehab Center.
He was the older of two children and was born to John and Thelma Anderson on May 18, 1943, in Hermiston, Ore. He went to Payette Elementary School and graduated from Payette High School in 1962. In 1963, he went to Treasure Valley Community College, where he met the love of his life, Karen Sue Conant. They were married April, 16, 1965. He then went to Eastern Oregon State College and in 1967 graduated with a degree in elementary education.
In 1968, he began working for many school districts including Vale, North Bend, Wilder, Ore., and, by 1980, Clarkia, Idaho. This is where they raised their five children because he was now in "God's Country," Mitch always said. He taught 10 years at Clarkia, even teaching his own kids during that time. During this time, he was a football coach, chairman of the Clarkia Road District and a board member of the Clarkia Water and Sewer District. He medically retired in 1990 and was then able to spend more time with his hobbies.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, four-wheeling, camping, cooking, making crafts, woodworking and supporting his family in their lives and sports activities. He loved watching his kids and grandkids play their sports; he never missed any of their games in any sport. We could not have asked for a better husband, father, brother, uncle or grandfather. He was the most caring man a family could have and he will be greatly missed by all. "He was my best friend." - Karen
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Karen; his brother, John Anderson and wife Bonnie of Plummer, Idaho, and their children; his children, Mike and Rachelle Anderson of Bovill, Chris and Kasey Anderson of Lewiston, Jim and Paula Bielenberg of Palouse, Mathew and Heather Anderson of Culdesac and Josh and Darcy Anderson of Deary; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father; and a niece.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Church in Clarkston. Please join the family in a luncheon immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Alzheimer's research at http://www.alzinfo.org.
Barbara A. Evans (McMahon)
Karen, So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.
Love, Barb Evans McMahon
Kip F. Moggridge
Karen, I had the true honor of calling Mitch a close friend in the last couple of years of hight school and I appologize to you for not being closer as he left us. Life sometimes takes us all down differnet roads. Mitch and i were in band and we sat next to each other for years "tootin" on our trumpets and just causing a certain amount of mischief. That went from there to episodes while hunting together or, as I remember, causing a certain amount of havoc.
One time, and truly there were many, Mitch and a couple of other miscrants, decided that we should "borrow" some watermellons from friendly farmers. I, at the time, had relatives all North of Payette so it wasn't a case of knowing where, it was just when. So we loaded up in Mitch's car and headed toward Weiser.
Ok, now you have or realize things were different in 1960 and stealing watermellons was a "rite of pasage" not a crime. Ok, now on with the story.
At the field, lush with ripe mellons, there was a small ditch and a single strand of wire running around the field. The wire passed thru small "white" knobs and on-an-on till it encircled the rows. Now everyone in a farm town knows electric wire when we see it, but that wasn't the issue. It's dark, night, next to a small ditch and we were in sort of a hurry. Grab and run,.
Well thats what Mitch did. He grabbed the first huge, plump mellon and began running back to the car right to the spot whre the ditch, with water in it, crossed under the wire with the small white bulbs...not to be stopped, Mitch, with a leap landed in the water and with his good hand, grabs the wire...thats when I sware, lightning shot out his ears and the mellon was launched towards the moon...no mellon, but thankfully most Mitch's hair grew back and the electric burns healed up in time for our next football game...
which remines me of the time he broke his nose...ok, I'll save that one till I see him again,,and I belive I will. Mitch, you were the best...wish I'd stayed more in touch with you as we grew older and wiser.
Philip Nathan Rich Sr.
Karen, my name is Phil Rich, we live in Payette! I am proud to have served our time in Payette schools! I do remember having classses with Mitch thru out hight school. He always treated me as a friend, even tho we never ran in the same circle I am here to say he was very easy to like! We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers to you and all your families!
Phi Rich
Gerrie Ahrens (Stults)
From Sandra Anderson (PHS '65) Krasznavolgyi in Boise, January 5th:
I have fond memories of Mitch from our years together in band & also for the ride home he gave me on his motorcycle after decorating the gym for a dance. I was so impressed that he would give a lowly underclassman a ride home, which was also out of his way! May he finally rest in peace & may his family treasure all the good memories they had together. ~Sandi