Wilbur Leland Anderson, 74
Wilbur Leland Anderson, 74, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006 at the Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls, Mont. He was born Feb. 8, 1932 near Colony, Wyo. at the family home. The doctor came from Belle Fourche, South Dakota so Wilbur's birth certificate lists that incorrectly.
He grew up in the Albion, Mont. area and graduated in 1950 as Valedictorian from Carter County High School in Ekalaka, Mont. Over the years contact with his classmates was always a very high priority.
After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War from 1951-1955 with over 2 years spent in the War Zone. In 1956 he went to Wichita, Kan. to attend college with help of the G.I. Bill.
July 4, 1956 he met Phyllis Hinderliter on a blind date. They were engaged Christmas Eve, 1956 and married June 30, 1957. Both were attending Wichita University. Phyllis completed her studies for an Associate Degree in late 1957 and Wilbur graduated from Ft. Hays State, Kansas in 1960.
They returned to Montana to the family ranch for a year. While there Roma Lee was born along with Gina Lucille. They moved to Busby, Mont. where Wilbur taught Industrial Arts for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Their third (and last) daughter, Gail Marie, was born at Busby.
Wilbur was appointed to the Montana State Board of Public Education and served a 7-year term. He was very proud of being Chairman when the Board approved the teaching of Indian language in schools by non-tenured teachers so that the languages would not be lost. He was a Life Member of VFW Post #4042, Bigfork, Montana. Being a veteran was something he was very proud of.
Wilbur was preceded in death by his father, Lorenz Casper Anderson, his mother, Mary Lee Arbuckle and his stepfather Franklin Pierce Arbuckle.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, of Bigfork, MT; daughters, Roma Krebs and her daughters, Gemma and Hannah of Tucson, AZ; Gina (Tom) Harrah of Fountain Hills, AZ; and Gail Anderson and her daughters Angelique and Devin of Midland, Texas.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that you send memorials in Wilbur's name to either Intermountain Children's Home, 500 S. Lamborn, Helena, Montana 59601 or the charity of your choice.