Wilbur Leland Anderson, 74

Wilbur Leland Anderson, 74, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. He was born Feb. 8, 1932, near Colony, Wyo., at the family home. The doctor came from Belle Fourche, S.D., so Wilbur's birth certificate lists that incorrectly.

He grew up in the Albion, Mont., area and graduated in 1950 as valedictorian from Carter County High School in Ekalaka. Over the years contact with his classmates was always a very high priority.

After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War from 1951-1955 with more than two years spent in the war zone. In 1956 he went to Wichita, Kan., to attend college with help of the G.I. bill.

On July 4, 1956, he met Phyllis Hinderliter on a blind date. They were engaged Christmas Eve 1956, and married June 30, 1957. Both were attending Wichita University. Phyllis completed her studies for an associate's degree in late 1957 and Wilbur graduated from Fort Hays State, Kansas, in 1960.

They returned to Montana to the family ranch for a year. While there Roma Lee was born. Never was there a father more proud of his child!

Next Wilbur taught in a country school in Wyoming. He had two students and Phyllis and Wilbur learned to really depend on each other in an isolated setting. Gina Lucille was born while they were there and when she was 1 month old they moved to Busby where Wilbur taught industrial arts for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Their third (and last) daughter, Gail Marie, was born at Busby. Wilbur delivered her at home unexpectedly. It was a wonderful, special happening for the couple but nothing they would have done intentionally - 40 miles from the hospital. Wilbur's girls were his pride and joy and that love for them continued his entire life.

Wilbur entered the public power field when they moved to Livingston and he worked for Park Electric Cooperative. This would be the beginning of more than 30 years spent in the field. He was dedicated to the rural electric program and its goals.

He worked for Hill County Electric and Triangle Telephone Cooperatives in Havre, and spent six years in Washington State as a division manager for Okanogan PUD in Brewster, Wash., before returning to Montana to serve 20 years as the general manager of Vigilante Electric Cooperative in Dillon. There was one "side trip" of one year when he worked at Purdue University but you cannot keep a Montana boy out of the state for very long and he was glad that he could spend his career years in the state he loved.

During his years he served as president of the Northwest Public Power Association, secretary of the Western Montana Managers Association, general manager of Western Montana G & T and on many, many committees and boards.

His dedication also extended to civic activities over the years. He was president of Jaycees, Kiwanis, and the Chamber of Commerce. In Dillon he served on the City/County Airport board for many years and the Western Montana College Foundation board for 19 years.

He was a private pilot and loved flying. He had been involved in a large air show at Brewster, Wash., and the Civil Air Patrol plus was president of the Havre Hangar of Montana Pilots.

He was appointed to the Montana State Board of Public Education and served a seven-year term. He was very proud of being chairman when the board approved the teaching of Indian language in schools by non-tenured teachers so that the languages would not be lost.

He was a life nember of VFW Post No. 4042, Bigfork. Being a veteran was something he was very proud of.

Wilbur and Phyllis were fortunate to purchase property south of Creston in 1986. They worked on developing it for nine years, driving back and forth from Dillon. They retired there in 1995. The move to Bigfork was wonderful and they made many good friends. It has been a gift!

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff of the Montana Veterans Home, especially those in the Special Care Unit. Their love and concern was wonderful and will never be forgotten.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his father, Lorenz Casper Anderson; his mother, Mary Lee Arbuckle; and his stepfather, Franklin Pierce Arbuckle.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of Bigfork; daughters, Roma Krebs and her daughters, Gemma and Hannah, of Tucson, Ariz., Gina and Tom Harrah of Fountain Hills, Ariz., and Gail Anderson and her daughters, Angelique and Devin, of Midland, Texas.

Funeral services for Wilbur Leland Anderson will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 7465 Montana 35 in Bigfork, with the Rev. Hal Curtis officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you send memorials in Wilbur's name to either Intermountain Children's Home, 500 S. Lamborn, Helena, MT 59601; or the charity of your choice.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Wilbur's family.

This paid obituary is being run again at the request of the family.