Gay Marie (Minnerath) Anderson, 68, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family, Monday, February 26, 2018.
She was born to Raymond and Ida (Fjeldheim) Minnerath on April 7, 1949, in Glasgow, Montana. She attended school in Saco until she was in the 7th grade when her family moved to Glasgow. Here she spent the rest of her school days until she graduated in 1967. This enabled her to make lifelong friends from both Saco and Glasgow.
She married Richard Larry Anderson and while they were married, had one son, Gary Thomas Anderson in 1968 and a daughter, Jennifer Marie Anderson-Munden in 1971. In 1981, she married John (Butch) Leckie. Though they later divorced, they remained lifelong friends to this day.
After high school, she worked at Cable-Vision for a few years. She then went to work at the Department of Health and Human Services for the state of Montana where she eventually retired after 30 years of service.
Her family was her pride and joy. She dedicated herself to creating the most wonderful memories with those she loved. Some fondest memories include late nights playing rambunctious games of Spoons, an endless supply of milkshakes, baking monster cookies in the kitchen, sending random care packages to her grandkids that always smelled of cookies, and having the best Easter egg hunts. She had the best house to make endless forts complete with its very own doorbell. Her house was, the “MacGyver” house – she always had whatever someone was looking for. All they had to do was ask and she would point them in the right direction to find it. Her kitchen was a place of gathering for great food, games, and stories. She had the most incredible knack of creating a fabulous sense of home. A sense of comfort just came over anyone who stepped through her door and she made everyone feel welcome in the warmth of her home.
Along with her love of family, she poured her passion into quilting, Bunko nights, enjoying her beloved dog Rango, cooking for her family, and tending to her flower beds. She knew anything and everything about birds and how to entice them into her yard.
She built wonderful friendships with many. She especially enjoyed coffee and drives with her lifelong friend Sue Garsjo and morning breakfasts at the Oasis with her beloved friend Gloria Robertson whom she considered both to be more like family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ray and Ida, her sisters Betty (Minnerath) Fielder and Kerry Ann (Minnerath) Ross, a nephew Mike MInnerath, and a grandson Ethan Munden.
She is survived by two forever loving children; a son Gary (Brenda) Anderson of Glasgow and a daughter Jenny (Travis) Munden of Missoula, grandchildren; Katelin (Taylor) Anderson of Missoula, McKenna Munden, Kinley Munden and Haiden Munden of Missoula, and Gage Anderson of Glasgow, four siblings; one sister Shari Minnerath of Billings, three brothers Ken (Alice) Minnerath of Laurel, Don (Holly) Minnerath and Bob (Patty) Minnerath both of Saco; and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service and inurnment will take place in the Saco Cemetery at a date and time to be determined and announced.
Sherry & George Deaton says
We didn’t know Gay well but know her kids& grandchildren. We are so sorry to hear of her passing. We have the family in our thoughts & prayers. Cherish your memories of Gay. God Bless to all of you.
Howard and Carol says
We knew all her siblings and her parents, and our hearts go out to all the family. She was a very likable person.
May God be with you all.
Haiden Munden says
I will definitely miss you grandma. I love how you would wake up before everyone in the morning and have your coffee going either sitting at the table or on the couch as the light would shine through the windows. I love you grandma. Say hi to everyone for me. Love you❤️
Steve Eldee says
So very sorry Jenny and family she will always be in your hearts love you guys
Cherry Rampley says
I am so sorry to hear of Gay’s passing. What a shock this morning when friend Sandy Dungan passed on the news. Gay and I were such good friends when I lived in Glasgow. My sincere sympathy goes out to Gary and Jenny and their families. I have such good memories of our kids playing together as they were growing up and going to Eastside Grade School. Rob (Robbie to Glasgow folks) and Tiffanie will be very sad to hear this news, as well.
I wish I lived closer to attend Gay’s service in Saco.
Carolynn Nyquist says
I worked with Gay many years ago and she had the heart of gold. Prayers for her family and good friends. C
Sally says
Gay and Family we where truly blessed to have not only have gotten to know you gay and your family but to have taken care of you God bless
Peggy Sorensen says
My thoughts and prayers are with Gay’s Family and friends.
Bonnie Hansen says
Farewell my friend. I will miss you and your wonderful smile. I’m looking forward to our next trip together, on the otherside of the rainbow in heaven.
Joe & Linda Conway says
Our thoughts & prayers go out to Gary & Jenny & families and Gay’s siblings. I have sweet memories of Gay who hired me many years ago at Cablevision in Glasgow. We had much fun as young gals working together. I remember Gary & Jenny as kids and their dog “Teenie” and how devoted Gay was as a Mom and a friend over the years. We enjoyed a Havre visit with Gay in April of 2016 as we re-called many of those memories again, when she stayed with Joe & I after an appointment in town. Gay will always be missed by her family and many friends.
Mary Jane Unsworth says
I am so sad to hear that Gay lost her battle. She was a very dear friend and I will miss her. My condolences to her family.