Idaho State Journal, 03/13/08
MONTPELIER - Waldo A. Andersen, 78, was called home to his Heavenly Father on March 8, 2008, at the Bear Lake M e m o r i a l Hospital in Montpelier, Idaho, of complications from dementia, which deteriorated to pneumonia. Waldo was born to Neils and Elsie Elvira Anderson Andersen on September 7, 1929, in Central, Caribou County, Idaho. Waldo attended schools in Central, Idaho, and graduated from Grace High School in 1947. He attended Idaho State College for two years, and then became a teacher on an emergency teaching permit due to the teacher shortage in 1949, teaching in Georgetown High School. He returned to college during 1950-51, and taught part time at Inkom High School.
He met his future wife, Ruth Kay Whittle, and they were married on July 23, 1951, in Central, Idaho, and moved to Pocatello, where Waldo continued his education. The marriage was solemnized in the Logan Temple on April 11, 1958.
Waldo was in the National Guard and was the leader of the 45th Army Band. It was here in Pocatello that their first daughter, Jody Lyn, was born. They then lived in a tiny home in Central for about a year, where their second girl, Dennie Kay, was born on her sister's first birthday.
The following year he taught in the North Gem Schools at Bancroft, and then to Soda Springs, where he completed two years teaching there. Following this they moved to Montpelier, where they've lived ever since.
His greatest love was being a music teacher. During this time they were blessed with three more daughters, Keelie Sue, Marcy Lee and Micki Rae.
Waldo was a charter member of the Bear Lake County EMTs for several years and served as a state commander for a term. He was extremely proud of his membership in this great countywide association. He and his wife took an interest in genealogy and became active in training ward members in research and organizing regular temple excursions.
Waldo retired from teaching in 1986, continuing his work in genealogy and family history. In 1997 through 1999, Waldo and Ruth Kay went to Salt Lake City on a Family History mission, serving as library attendants and microfilm recorders.
Waldo is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Ruth Kay; daughters and families, Jody (Craig) Passey, Carson, Laina, and girls, Kaisha, Kailey, and Zoey, Antony, Sheila, children, Starr McKenzie and Jack Ryan and Nicholas, Dennie (Don) Marley, Janie (Corey) Schenk, sons, Garrett and Quinten, Leslie (Chris) Larsen, sons, Cayden and Paysen, Benjamin Marley, and Malinda Marley, Keelie (Allan) Nelson, Keelie's children, Breanne Eborn, Brooke (Evan) Davis, sons Nathan and Lance, Toby (Adriann) Eborn, children, Jason, Alex, and Lindsey, and Patrick Eborn, Marcy (Michael) Freestone, girls, Megda-lyn, Mallory (Patrick) Kent, Micki (David) Galloway, son, Riley; sister-in-law, LaNea Jensen Andersen and her children. Preceding him in death are his parents, brothers, DeWin and Victor Ray, sisters, Maez Elsie and Laura May.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 15, 2008, at 11 a.m. in the Montpelier Stake Center at 340 North Sixth St. The interment will be in the Montpelier City Cemetery.