Mary "Louise" Andersen

Mary “Louise” Andersen was born on March 8, 1924 in Freeman, Missouri. She was the first of three daughters born to Harry W. Williams and Myrtle E. Robinson. The family moved to Kansas City and then to Ft. Collins, CO where her father taught mathematics at Colorado A&M College, now known as Colorado State University. She graduated from Ft. Collins High School in 1942. After a year of college she went to Washington D.C. and worked at the Quantico Marine Base for 2 years. She moved back to Ft. Collins and met and married Virgil A. Robinson in 1946, becoming an instant mother to a 7 year old daughter she raised as her own. Moving to the family farm in Powell, WY, she welcomed a son, Charles, in 1950 and a daughter, Colleen, in 1951. She and Virgil later divorced. In 1955, she started a 25 year career working for Mountain Bell as an operator. The family left the farm in 1965, relocating to Ft. Collins, CO where she continued to work as a supervisor until her retirement. In 1971 she met Ted Andersen and the beginning of a new and vibrant life opened for her. After retirement Louise and Ted relocated to Mesa, AZ where she became a skilled crafter and painter. They enjoyed RV-ing in the old pickup and trailer, traveling all over the U.S. , west of the Mississippi River. After Ted’s passing in 1989, Louise moved to Caldwell, ID to be near her son Charles and his family, in 1994. She continued with her love of crafting and quilting up until shortly before her passing. She was an active member of St. Mary’s, now known as Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. She was involved with the Women of Faith and the Piece Makers; a group of ladies who shared their love of sewing and quilting, making quilts and blankets for veterans and others. She also found time to go cruising to Alaska and Cancun with friends and her daughter-in-law. She enjoyed trips to San Diego and Charleston, SC to see her daughters and to Missouri to visit family and friends. In 2012 she attended her 70th class reunion in Ft. Collins, CO, accompanied by her daughter-in-law. Louise is survived by her son, Charles (Karen) Robinson of Caldwell, ID; daughters, Helen Sitzman of San Diego, CA and Colleen (Jon) McCain of Charleston, SC ; grandchildren, Charles Robinson IV, Michael (Casey) Robinson, Mari (Dan) Harris, Katherine (Cliff) Calhoun, Mark (Luann) Sitzman, Suzanne (Rick) Sitzman-Ieler and Jason Ankeny; great-grandchildren, Ryan and Madeline Harris, Jack Robinson, Londyn Calhoun, Elizabeth, Mikayla and Kayden Sitzman; a sister, Laura Maher and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husbands, Virgil and Ted; a sister, Mildred and her parents, Harry Williams and Myrtle Farmer. The family wishes to thank her many friends and the staff at Lenity Living and Journey Hospice, for their excellent care of Louise. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Monastery of St. Gertrude, 465 Kueterville Rd., Cottonwood, ID. 83522. A viewing will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2017 from 5:00-8:00 PM with Rosary Recital at 7:00 PM at Flahiff Funeral Chapel in Caldwell. Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Valley on Friday, January 5, 2017 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Canyon Hill Cemetery, Caldwell, ID. Condolences may be given at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com. Service Information