Dan Anderson

Dan Anderson, 89, of Opheim, Mont., died on Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, of natural causes at Sweetwater Retirement Living.

As per Dan's wishes, there will not be a memorial service. A private family memorial will take place next summer where his ashes, along with Jene's will be spread on the family farm in Opheim.

He was born on the family homestead on Jan. 3, 1926, one of four children born to Daniel G. and Anna Anderson. He was raised by his mother after his father passed away at a young age. He took over operating the farm at the age of 14. He attended the Rosebud Country School through elementary and graduated from Opheim High School.

He married Jene Dorwin of Flaxville, on Jan. 20, 1955. Together they had six children and shared many wonderful moments. They were married for 53 amazing years before Jene passed away in 2008.

He farmed and ranched until the age of 80, when he and Jene retired and moved to Livingston for a brief stay.

He was involved in the Luke's 100 Fund Drive to raise money for the construction of the Glasgow hospital, and then served on the Board of Directors for Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital for many years. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Production Credit Association for numerous years.

Dan, along with his brother, Arnold, were awarded the Outstanding Conservation Farmers' Award in 1990 given by the Valley County Conservation District for planting more than 30,000 trees on their farm.

After spending a full day farming and ranching, he liked to relax in the evening by hoeing weeds in the garden. One of his favorite pastimes was to play cards, his favorite being a good hand of whist. He was a ravenous reader, reading almost anything he could get his hands on whether it was a good book, a newspaper or a magazine. Another of his favorite pastimes was putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Throughout calving season, he spent many hours working a jigsaw puzzle while waiting for a cow to calf so that he could sleep peacefully knowing that there were no complications with the birth. During any good thunderstorm, he could always be found sitting at the kitchen window watching the lightning.

He was a shy man of great integrity and generosity. He loved music and taking Mom dancing. We know in our hearts that their spirits are dancing eternity away to the big band tunes they both so loved.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Jene; a daughter, Pam Anderson; a grandson, Dusty Ritter; an infant son; two sisters, Ellen Lenoir and Hazel McGaffey, MD .; and a nephew, Terry Tweten.

Survivors include three sons Randy Anderson and his wife, Paula, of Billings, Larry Anderson and his wife, Kris, of Absorkee, and Russ Anderson and his wife, Twyla, of Opheim; two daughters, Sherry Hatfield and her husband, Keith, of Gardiner, Holly Long and her husband, Claude, of Gardiner; a brother, Arnold Anderson of Opheim; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.