Merrie Anderson
courtesy photo
Merrie Eloise Anderson
RONAN — Our beloved Eloise passed onto the other side of the veil on Sept. 27, 2019, from a long battle with diabetic kidney disease. She was born on March 10, 1951, to Verda and Leonard “Leonel” E. Bell, and was raised on the Round Butte Ranch west of Ronan.
Eloise was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. She graduated from Ronan High School and continued her education at electronic trade school in Washington. She worked many years at S&K Electronics, SK College, SK Housing Authority, Jore Corporation, and various dude ranches. Every dairy in the valley knew her for her love of milking cows.
Eloise had a passion for her friends and neighbors. She had a never-ending interest in their lives and a love to give and share her every treasure with them. No one ever left her place empty-handed because she was the purest form of paying everything forward. Despite being an incredibly hard worker herself, Eloise employed many a neighbor kid to do summer jobs in her famous community garden, orchard, rabbitry, and wood shop. All throughout her life she enjoyed raising gardens and livestock, riding horses, camping, fishing, hunting, beading, leather work, knitting, and adoring her pets. She also loved eating out and hated to pass up a good restaurant. She had a blast at the Kentucky Derby and loved wearing her derby hat.
Eloise was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Patricia Vermedahl; and great niece, Sara Jolee Shields.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Paula Anderson; her sisters, Kathy Beauchot (Charlie), Althea Bell (Mike), Melissa Michel (Leonard); her brother, James Bell; many nieces, nephews; several adored pets; and a bounty of friends.
Eloise was an amazing character in life and will be greatly missed. The family would like to invite everyone who knew her to come to a celebration of her life at the Ninepipes Restaurant on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. to share memories and stories.
In memory of Eloise we request a planting of a flower or tree in her memory. Messages of condolences can be shared with the family online at: www.lakefuneralandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the care by The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory in Polson.
