Leo Katherine Anderson

Leo Katherine Anderson

July 21, 1917 — July 28, 2008

MONTROSE — Leo Katherine Anderson, 91, longtime Montrose resident, passed away early Monday, July 28, 2008, at Montrose Memorial Hospital of natural causes. Leo was born on July 21, 1917 to Charles David and Celia May (McCombs) Wilks in Stella, Mo. She was born prematurely and was so small that her father insisted on giving her a small name to fit her diminutive size. She spent her childhood in Montrose and attended Coal Creek school. Leo married Dale Vernon Anderson on Sept. 11, 1949. During her lifetime, Leo lived variously in Crested Butte, Ridgway, Gunnison, and actually lived year round through the winter at the Camp Bird Mine in Ouray, Colo. She loved visiting with the tourists coming through, and her family fondly remembers a British woman, Elsie,  whose husband wouldn’t accompany her, spending the day with Leo, high up on the mountain having tea and crackers with cheese. Leo also had a long, tall pole that she would pulley her clean laundry up to dry, even in the winter months, where the frozen clothing would hang high above Ouray.

Leo loved cooking for her family and friends, enjoyed bowling and spent her spare time crocheting and quilting. Leo is survived by her sister, Betty McFarlane of Las Vegas, Nev.; her son, Carl (Donna) Anderson of Montrose; her daughter, Shirley (Walter) Sloan of Pueblo, Colo.; six grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who loved to visit “Aunt Leo.” She was pre-deceased by her husband, Dale Anderson in 2002, her parents, four brothers, two sisters, her special friend and sister-in-law, Doreen Wilks, and one grandson. Per Mrs. Anderson’s request, no services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions in the name of Leo Anderson may be made to Colorow Care Center in Olathe, Colo. Valley Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the care of Leo, 505 S. 2nd St., Montrose, CO 81401(970) 249-4400.