Everett W. Anderson, 94, lifetime resident of St. Maries, died peacefully at Valley Vista Care Center on Feb. 29, 2012.

He was born April 18, 1917, to Axel and Anna Anderson who had emigrated her from Sweden in 1911. He grew up in St. Maries and graduated from St. Maries High School with the class of 1935. He went on to college where he graduated in business administration. Following his graduation, he became executive director for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Everett married Margaret E. Kuehn on Dec. 20, 1941, in St. Maries. A few months later, he was drafted into the U.S. Army with the 89th Infantry Division. This division, became part of Patton’s Third Army in Europe during the war. He served with that unit for four years and was involved in the liberation of one of the concentration camps in Germany. Following his discharge in 1945, Everett returned to his last position with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. He held that position until his retirement in 1974.

Upon his return from the war, Everett became active in community affairs. He was in city administration as councilman and mayor for 14 years. He was a past chairman of the St. Maries School Board. Served as president of the Benewah Co. Cattleman’s Assn. for 10 years as well as a member of the St. Maries Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1962 and 1968.

He represented North Idaho on the Board of Governors, Spokane Unit of the Shriners Hospital for Children. In November 1989, he became the first Shriner from Calam Temple of North Idaho to achieve emeritus status for his years of dedicated service.

Everett was a 59-year member and director of the St. Maries Kiwanis Club. Other memberships include the St. Masonic Lodge No. 63 AF & AM, the Scottish Rite bodies of Coeur d’Alene . Calam Shrine Temple of Lewiston, the St. Maries Shrine Club and founding member of the St. Maries Crutch Patrol. He also was Past Director of R.O.J. Court No. 62, The Order of Eastern Star and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post 1390 in St. Maries.

Everett was also a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He was an “extra” in the movie “Heavens Gate” partly filmed in Wallace. Everett was also selected by the Benewah Co. Centennial Committee to represent the county at the Idaho Centennial in 1990 in Boise.

Everett was inducted into the St. Maries High School Wall of Fame in 2000.

His wife of 62 years preceded him in death in 2003.

He is survived by his son, Forrest Anderson of Spokane; one grandson; two nieces and two nephews.

He was also preceded in death by brother Herb Anderson and sister Martha Anderson.

Visitation will be held from 1-5 p.m. Monday, March 5, 2012, at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Rev. Spike Shine officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery with military rites. A gathering of family and friends will follow back at the church.

The family suggests memorials to Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210-2472.

Visit his online memorial and sign his guest book at www.hodgefuneralhome.com.