Karen Marie Anderson, 86

Karen Marie Anderson, 86, passed away peacefully at home in Columbia Falls, Montana on Oct. 22, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born in Polson to Caroline and Carl Anderson.

Growing up in the Flathead, surrounded by lakes and open spaces, gave her plenty of opportunities for adventure. As a child, she had her own horse and an aunt’s rowboat. Her fun-loving, active, and humorous personality afforded her friends to share the things she loved: golfing, tennis, skating, skiing, and swimming. As a teenager, she wrote in her diary: “I thank God for my health, my happiness, my ambitions, my friends, my home, and my country. Few people realize how lucky they are…” Her gratitude for a blessed life only continued.

She began dating Bill Anderson in her early teens and so began an extraordinary 71-year love story. Their life together spanned their college and grad school graduations to their retirement, and far beyond. Together they fished, boated, skied, played tennis, and took countless road trips, hauling a camper with bikes, kayaks, motorcycles, golf clubs, and anything else that promised adventure! An ambitious couple, well suited for each other, they were married 66 years and raised four daughters who cherished the engaged, fun lifestyle they provided.

Their daughters, Pam, Tricia, Lynn, and Jill grew up enjoying the same activities. Karen and Bill's 11 grandchildren took on many of the same interests as well; 11 great-grandchildren will now enjoy this legacy of being active in body and spirit. 

In the late 1960s, while still young themselves, Karen and Bill built a charming cabin on a lake. It became a place held dear for all, where friends and five generations of family have been able to gather, and still do today!

Karen’s friendliness meant a stranger rarely stayed one. She was not shy! A couple she chatted with in a laundromat was later invited to stay in the then-unfinished cabin, as were some bagpipers another time! Her daughters credit her and Bill for their own desire to share with and appreciate the different people they meet.

Karen enjoyed a career as a teacher, with her first job at a school in Missoula. She then spent much of her career as an elementary teacher at a rural school near her home. She enriched her students’ experiences through her creativity, humor, and high standards. She took her students on ski trips, taught them to bake bread, and spent hours planning meaningful lessons. She earned her master’s in education in counseling while still teaching.

Karen shaped the lives of many children in this way. She can never be replaced, but she will always be with us.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 27 at the chapel at Columbia Mortuary with a reception to follow at the Back Room Restaurant from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Deer Park School, where she taught for 25 years. A donation fund in her name has been established at deerparkmt.infinitecampus.org.