Mark Anderson

Mark Hale Anderson, 86, of Missoula passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2024 surrounded by his loving family at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. He parted this world peacefully, after a kiss from his loving wife of 67 years.

Mark was born in Helena on September 1, 1938 and raised by his parents Harold and Marion Anderson in Havre, Montana. During high school Mark enlisted in the Army National Guard where he served his country for seven years. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

On November 23, 1957 Mark married his high school sweetheart Olive Mays. He later worked for the Montana Highway Department. Together Mark and Olive owned Tropical Aquariums here in Missoula, and later retired.

Mark was a loyal sports fan having followed his favorite sports teams since high school. He loved his Boston Celtics, Brooklyn/LA Dodgers and his beloved Montana Grizzlies. He spent many years as a rooting fixture in the north end zone of Washington Grizzly Stadium.

Mark was a devout Christian and carried the love of the Lord right up to his passing. In his last days, Mark could be heard throughout the halls of St. Patrick's singing hymns loudly with his family. A memory his family will treasure forever.

Mark was an avid outdoorsman and expert fly tying artist. He spent countless hours walking the mountains and fishing the rivers and lakes of Montana. His favorites included Spook Lake, the Blackfoot River, and Placid Lake, where he could be found trolling on his favorite stretch at "30 feet". When not in the wild itself, Mark could be found at his fly-tying station, tying handcrafted flies, which he often sold to local hackle shops and shared with family.

Most of all, Mark loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Many of Mark's later years were spent beside a campfire sharing his stories of earlier days. His true, gentle, loving nature and talents could be seen in his poetry, his garden of beautiful flowers, his impressive home aquarium and smoked fish freshly made from his own recipe. His tasty Almond Roca and Norwegian Lefse were holiday favorites, requested by many. Mark was never one to withhold his talents and loved to share his knowledge and craft with family, friends and strangers alike.

Mark is survived by his wife Olive, daughter Cynthia Doherty and son-in-law Dennis Doherty, his daughter Sharon Jones and son-in-law Chip Jones; brother Greg Anderson; Grandchildren Jacquelyn, Joshua, Adam, Morgan and Kellie; Great-grandchildren Colter, Kynlee, Emma, Adelyn, Landon, Ayla, Ollie, Piper and Quinn.

He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Marion Anderson.

He was a good listener, a comforting shoulder, a family man and a wonderful friend. He will be greatly missed.

A private service with military honors will be held.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ethan Richards, Dr. Nick Furlong, and the amazing staff who lovingly cared for Mark and his family in his last days.