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Obituary: Angela “Angie” Nielsen Anderson and James Robert Anderson III

Posted at 11:38 AM, Aug 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-31 09:21:07-04

Angela Nielsen Anderson “Angie”, 47, and James Robert Anderson III, 15, of Belgrade Montana tragically passed away on July 27, 2018.

The mother and son drowned in a boating accident on the Yellowstone River. The Anderson party was taking a drift boat down the river east of Livingston when the boat capsized near the U.S. Highway 89 North Bridge.

Angie was born on April 9, 1971, in Bozeman, to Gerald and LaVonne Nielsen. She was the youngest of five sisters. Angie was a sweet, generous, fun, and loving person. She calmly raised her family, entertained routinely and joyously, and continually showed her unbridled love for the Montana outdoors.

Angie attended Longfellow Elementary, Wilson Middle School, and Bozeman Senior High, graduating in 1989. She then attended Montana State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1994.

On September 9, 1996, Angie married Jim Anderson. The two met working at Hillcrest retirement home while attending MSU. The couple initially made their home outside of Big Timber on family property. Jim began a career in law enforcement in Sweetgrass County. In 2005 the Andersons moved to the Belgrade area.

The next twenty years were spent raising their two children; Nicole Marie, 18, and James Robert III, 15, and developing their property on Foster Lane into a loving and welcoming home. The property became home to a variety of horses, miniature donkeys, goats, and household pets.

The Andersons also worked part time at Showdown Ski Area, and later Big Sky Ski Resort. Angie worked in the Ski School on weekends while Jim, Nicole, and James worked with the Ski Instructor program.

In addition to an array of outdoor activities, Angie was also an active bowler, participating in league play at The Bozeman Bowl, alongside her mother, LaVonne, for the past twenty years.

The Andersons were members of Christ The King Lutheran Church, where Angie was active in Council, music, and the youth program. Angie was a member of the church her entire life, as her parents were founding members.

Angie is survived by her loving husband, James Robert “Jim” Anderson II; her daughter, Nicole Marie Anderson; parents, Gerald and LaVonne Nielsen (Bozeman, MT); and her three sisters and their families, Darla Reeves (Lakewood, CO), Paula Wills (Littleton, CO), and Barbara Benson (Bellevue, WA).

Angie was preceded in death by her eldest sister, Tamra Nielsen. Angie was joined in passing by her beloved son, James.

James was born on June 16, 2003, in Bozeman, to Jim and Angie Anderson. He was the youngest of two siblings. James was kind, caring, and imaginative. He chose his friends, activities, and interests with maturity and passion. James provided inspiration, joy, and loving memories to all he encountered.

James attended Elementary and Middle School in Belgrade and had just finished his freshman year at Belgrade High School.

James enjoyed the loving and active family life provided by his parents at their home on Foster Lane outside Belgrade. James enjoyed the family animals, skiing with his family at Big Sky, and hiking with his grandparents. He also enjoyed learning, the High School robotics club, and absorbing anything scientific or historic.

James was active in the youth and education activities at Christ The King Lutheran Church, where his family have been longtime members.

James is survived by his loving father, Jim Anderson; his older sister, Nicole Marie Anderson; his grandparents, Gwen Anderson (Belgrade, MT) and Gerald and LaVonne Nielsen (Bozeman, MT); and his aunts and their families, Darla Reeves (Lakewood, CO), Paula Wills (Littleton, CO), and Barbara Benson (Bellevue, WA).

James was joined in passing by his loving mother, Angie.

A Memorial Service for both Angie and James will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 11:00 am, at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 4383 Durston Rd, in Bozeman. A reception will follow.

Interment will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Bozeman at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Christ The King Endowment Fund. Contributions should be marked for the Anderson Memorial, and will be used for Family and Youth programming. Christ The King Lutheran Church, 4383 Durston Rd, Bozeman, MT 59718 ctkbozeman.org

Additionally, memorials to establish the Angie and James Anderson Scholarship fund for science and music, may be sent to the following:

MSU Alumni Foundation, 1501 S 11th Ave, Bozeman MT 95715, To give online: www.msuaf.org/give-anderson

Also, contributions can be made in James’s honor, by check only, to the Belgrade School system’s Friends of Music program, or the High School robotics club: Friends of Belgrade Music (memo: James Anderson Memorial); or Belgrade High School (memo: robotics club), c/o Morgan Jones, 303 N Hoffman St, Belgrade, MT 59714

To provide financial support to the Anderson Family, a fund is being organized by the Montana Sheriff’s and Peace Officers Association and can be reached at the Gallatin County Sheriff Department’s Facebook page.

More information can be provided by Christ The King Lutheran Church www.ctkBozeman.org, Phone: 406-587-4131 or 406-587-9789, Email: office@ctkbozeman.org

The family wants to thank the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office for their continued support and thank all the emergency responders and Search & Rescue volunteers for their efforts.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Lift my eyes to the hills. – Psalm 121:1-2

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Services. www.dokkennelson.com