Larry Anderson

Larry Anderson, 60, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at St. Lukes Medical Center in Denver, Colo.

There will be a private memorial at the family farm the summer of 2025.

Larry was born March 11, 1964, to Dan and Jene Anderson, of Opheim, Mont. Growing up, Larry worked hard on the family farm and played basketball, football and ran track in high school. Larry graduated from Opheim High School in 1982 and went on to study auto body at Northern in Havre, Mont.

Larry married Cheryl Lazier in 1983 and they welcomed their daughter, Amber, on Feb. 7, 1984. Larry and Amber moved to Auburn, Wash., in 1988 where two of his siblings, Sherry and Russ lived, but eventually missed Montana and moved back and relocated to Gardiner where his sister Holly lived. There he worked for the Jardine gold mine as a mechanic/truck driver. When the gold mine closed, he and Amber moved to Absarokee, Mont., where Larry began working as a mechanic for the Stillwater platinum mine. Larry met his soul mate, Kris Valdez, in 2000 and they were married in Absarokee in 2006. Larry and Kris were rarely apart and enjoyed working on their home and yard, hanging out with their many friends, and rafting the river.

In 1999, Larry was awarded the Montana Medal of Valor by Governor Racicot when he and another man rushed to help a truck driver who had been severely injured in a tanker truck explosion and they put out the fires, preventing more explosions. This epitomized who Larry was, someone who was always helping his fellow man. Larry would help anyone - anywhere, anytime. He had a heart of gold and always had a smile on his face. He was so proud of his daughter Amber and all her accomplishments and proud of his two grandchildren, Kael (11) and Reagan (9), who were just starting to make their mark on life.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Jene (2008) and Dan (2015); his sister, Pam Anderson (2014) and Pam's son, Dusty (2004).

Larry is survived by his wife, Kris, of Absarokee; his daughter, Amber (Tyson), of Havre, and her two children, Kael and Reagan; his sisters, Sherry (Keith) Hatfield and Holly (Claude) Long, both of Gardiner; his brothers, Randy (Paula), of Billings, and Russ (Twyla), of Opheim; and seven nieces and nephews.