Evelyn Elizabeth Anderson

Evelyn Elizabeth (Nayes) Anderson, 87, of Glasgow, Mont., a beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, at Valley View Nursing Home in Glasgow.

She was born in Plentywood, Mont., on May 26, 1929, to Clarence Oliver and Louise Christine (Sorensen) Nayes and was raised in Froid with her four sisters, Lucille, Carol, Ruth and Betty. Being the middle of five girls, she was taught how to snare gophers and herd cows since there were no boys in the family. Her nickname, Johnnie, stuck with her quite a few years. She graduated from Froid High School.

In March 1947, she married Morris Ellwood Anderson of Homestead, Mont. They had six children, Morris Jr., Karen, Carolyn Jo, René, Victor and John Dennis. They lived in Homestead and Opheim before settling in Glasgow in 1958.

She worked at the Montana Bar during the Air Base years, and later was a checker at Gordon's Foods. Working and raising five kids, she found time for gardening and canning. She enjoyed raising angora rabbits, chickens, cows and sheep.

She was an avid knitter in her earlier years when she made many Canadian sweaters for family and friends and also sold them at times. She made porcelain dolls in her kiln, and sewed clothes for them. For many years you could find her handiwork entered in the fair whether it be afghans, quilts, ceramics or baby sweaters.

She and Morris always enjoyed playing cards and visiting with Roy and Mary Ann Ellsworth, and Evelyn and Mary Ann remained best friends after their husbands' passing.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church, and before her eyesight failed, particularly enjoyed quilting with the ladies on Wednesdays. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary.

Family was very important to her and she loved spending time with grandkids and great-grandkids. She had a great sense of humor and could tell good stories.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Anderson, on Dec. 26, 2010; three sisters, Betty, Ruth and Lucille; an infant son, John Dennis; and a son-in-law, Leroy McAllister.

Survivors include five children, Morris "Butch" Anderson Jr. of Harrison, Karen (Lorrie) Sampson of Glasgow, Carolyn "Jo" VanPatten and her husband, Chuck, of Harrison, Rene Clampitt and her husband, Curt, of Glasgow, and Victor Anderson and his wife, Carmen, of Tacoma, Wash.; 12 grandchildren, Luke Anderson, Val Anderson-Coates and her husband, Chris, Cody Anderson, Angie Peterson and her husband, Bob, Brandi Knierim and her husband, John, Jay McAllister and his wife, Jenni, Stacey Reddies and her husband, Karl, Desiree Johnson, Chad Clampitt and his wife, Lauren, Bret Clampitt, Amelia Schimetz and her husband, Jason, and Levi Clampitt and his wife, Cara; 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.

Family received friends Dec. 26, from 6–8 p.m. at Bell Mortuary in Glasgow. Funeral Services were at 11 a.m. Dec. 27, at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, with Bonnie Novak officiating, followed by a luncheon. Burial was in the Highland Cemetery at Glasgow with Bell Mortuary in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.