Donald Andersen Obituary March 11, 2018

Donald Andersen, 91, passed away March 11, 2018 at home surrounded by family. Don was born Nov. 19, 1926 in Hardy, Nebraska to Martin and Bertha Andersen. He was raised in Montana. Don married Mary Simoneau on Aug. 1, 1949 in Hanks, North Dakota. Don and Mary moved with their 4 daughters to Hayden Lake in 1956. Don worked as a mechanic for Elliot Motors and then for Crollard Ford while their family grew to 8 children. Don owned and operated a backhoe business for 5 years. In 1969 he and his brother Leonard owned Andersen Brothers Phillips 66 on 15th and Sherman. Then in 1974 Don started working for Kerr Oil until his retirement.

Don was one of the original members of the Hayden Lake Volunteer Fire Department which he served for 24 ½ years. The Andersen family was one of the founding families of St. Pius X Catholic Church in 1962. Don also was on the Board of Directors of Avondale Irrigation for 37 years.

He had a passionate love of flying; his first solo flight was in November of 1982. He and Mary logged 1175 hours, in his Cessna 172, and his Piper Cherokee 180.

Don was preceded in death by his brother Leonard, sisters, Gladys Halland, and Agnes Forsyth, granddaughter, Dana Maag, and grandson, David Rayan. He is survived by his sweetheart Mary, eight children, Donna Rayan (Joe), San Jose, CA, Marlene Gray (Pat), Hayden Lake, ID, Marlis Jessick (Dave), Hayden Lake, ID, Beverly Hays (John), Edmonds, WA, Randy Andersen (Mary Kay), Seattle, WA, Joan Maag (Darcy), Caldwell, ID, Curtis Andersen (Lisa) Post Falls, ID, David Andersen (Lisa) Rathdrum, 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Don approached death the same way he lived life; with humor, kindness and surrounded by family, friends and love.

There will be a visitation held on Friday March 16, from 5:00-7:00pm at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth Street Coeur d’ Alene, ID. The Rosary will be held on Saturday March 17th at 10:30am with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11:00am at St. Pius X parish, 625 E. Haycraft Ave, Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83815. The Graveside service will follow at 2:00pm at Coeur d’ Alene Memorial Gardens.