Dorothy Ann Anders

Dorothy Ann Anders passed away peacefully in her home in Missoula, Montana, surrounded by her family, on March 28, 2025. She was born April 4, 1930, at the family homestead in Columbus, Montana, to Fred and Frances (Hansen) Woltermann. She attended a one-room schoolhouse with her sister, Jeanette, later Columbus High School, then went on to graduate from Colorado State College of Education (Northern) with a teaching degree. Her first teaching job was in Lewistown, Montana, teaching fifty-six first graders. While teaching elementary students in Bozeman, Montana, she met Clayborn J. Anders, and they married on June 21, 1955.

Clay and Dorothy moved to Dillon, Montana, in 1956, where Clay taught Industrial Arts at Western Montana College for 28 years. They later moved to Missoula, Montana to be closer to family. Clay built a family home south of Dillon, and Dorothy dedicated herself to motherhood and homemaking while raising their three children. In 1976, with Paul starting high school and Julie and Kevin grown, she returned to teaching first grade. Dorothy prided herself on all that she created, cared for and grew. She was an attentive mother, and grandmother, a master flower gardener, a seamstress, a weaver, a baker and cook, and a lifelong lover of travel, languages, reading and learning. Dorothy was happiest when she was working in her garden or on a project with someone she loved. She found comfort and strength in her faith.

Above all, Dorothy loved her family. Her sister was her lifelong best friend. She is survived by her sister, Jean Koch, her brother-in-law, Bill Smith, her children Kevin (Denise) Anders, Julie (Keith) Parker, Paul (Jennifer) Anders, grandchildren Jenny (Ethan), Jacquelyn (Rafael), Cory (Lori), Lynn, Kate, and Molly, great-grandchildren Elliott, Oliver, Rhys, Avigail, Alexis, Zeke, and Jacob, and numerous nieces and nephews, and their extended families.

Dorothy was preceded in death by parents, Fred and Frances Woltermann, beloved husband, Clayborn Anders, sister-in-law, Joan Anders, brother-in-law Bill Koch, nephew Nick Koch, Clay's parents, May and Art Anders, and Grace Anders. She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Montana Public Radio, Missoula Aging Services, or the Missoula Butterfly House.

Dorothy will be laid to rest in a private service at Mountainview Cemetery in Columbus, Montana.

A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Missoula.