Mary Ernestine Anderson

Mary Ernestine (Vandall) Anderson, (Wa WoGiya Wiya), was born Dec. 31, 1934, to Edwin and Ernestine Vandall in Wolf Point, Mont. The children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews were very fortunate to have had Grandma Mary a part of their lives. She went home to the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, which also marked her 80th birthday, giving true meaning to the saying, "Angels danced the day you were born."

She began working at the very young age of 14 as a waitress for the Wolf Point "Sweet Shoppe." She was very proud of the fact that she was able to buy her parents their first refrigerator with her hard-earned wages. This was the essence of her giving spirit. The greatest gift she bestowed to family, friends and those in need was the selfless act of giving herself to others.

She raised her family by working many years as a waitress, often saying, "Make every step count in whatever you do." She then went on to work in various clerical positions as a social services representative for Valley County. It was while working at this position that she could not help but once again help those in need. She became a proud foster parent to many children for years to come. She returned to Wolf Point to be closer to her parents, taking a position for A&S Industries as a government inspector. She worked hard in every position she held but was most proud of her full-time position as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, foster mother and friend.

Upon her retirement from A & S Industries, she made her home in Billings where she enjoyed being close to her grandchildren and children. In May of 2014, she suffered a stroke; she kept her faith and worked hard at staying independent up to the time of her death.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Pedro, Joey, Johnny and Lyle; one son, Michael; one daughter, Della; two great-granddaughters, Gracie and Stormy; one grandson, Russell; and a very dear friend, Joyce McGeshick.

Survivors include two brothers, Edmund Vandall of Lincoln, Maine, and Gene Vandall of Wales, Mass.; one sister, Delaraine Hauss, and her husband, Bob, of Rochester, N.Y.; her children, Carolyn Lee of Glasgow, Linda Hansen and her husband, Russell, of Wolf Point, Cindy Stellflug and her husband, Gene, of Kennewick, Wash., David Watters and his wife, Lorie, of Billings, Leila Guza of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Bruce Appleton of Billings; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; and a life-long friend, Roberta Archdale.

Rosary was recited at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7, all at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Wolf Point, followed by interment at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point.

Clayton Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point is entrusted with arrangements.