Obituary of Betty M. (Marge) Anderson

Betty M. (Marge) Anderson passed away peacefully on Friday, July 22, 2022 at the age of 75 at the family home in Rush, CO. A memorial service will be held at Edison School, 14550 Edison Road, Yoder, CO on Monday, August 1st at 11:00 a.m. Marge was born January 23, 1947 in Pueblo, CO to James and Betty Ann (Lee) Murphy. In her teenage years, Marge worked as a candy striper at St. Mary Corwin Hospital where she learned to tuck in sheets on a bed tighter than you can ever imagine. She also worked at the Grub Steak Inn as a carhop where after having been there awhile, her boss learned that she was only 14, legal working age was 16, but somehow Marge kept working there. It was meant to be, because this is where Marge met the love of her life in April of 1966 and as her boss put it “you’re going to marry that cowboy someday.” She did, two months later on Father’s Day, June 19, 1966 Marge and M.B were married in Pueblo, CO. This year they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary. Early in their marriage, Marge worked at a 7-Eleven and M.B. worked construction in Colorado Springs. January of 1967 they moved to Pueblo and Marge went back to work at the Grub Steak Inn while M.B. finished college. March of 1967 the couple moved to the Anderson family ranch to begin life as we know it. These were some of the most trying times in Marge’s life. The city girl moved to the country, but she proved how tough she was. She stayed and made the most of it, much to the surprise of many! As she became acquainted with the ranch life and taking on her new life’s responsibilities, she cared for M.B.’s Grandmother and began her learning curve of cooking. She used to say when she first married she only knew how to fix spaghetti and hamburgers. Wow, she improved drastically from there! She served many branding, weaning, and holiday meals and no one ever went hungry at her house. Marge stayed home and raised her family until the kids became of school age. She then started driving a bus route for Edison School in 1977 & 1978. In 1981 she became head cook and continued driving until 1987. After a short period of babysitting her first grandchild, she decided to pursue another career as a receptionist at the El Paso County Telephone Office, in Ellicott, CO. She drove 52 miles one-way, every day for 14 years, and decided to retire in 2007. It was now time for her to spend time not spoiling, but “loving” her grandkids & great-grandkids. Marge enjoyed attending sporting events, rodeos, taking the kids shopping, coloring their hair, cooking lessons, playing Mexican Train, card games, and dancing. Her favorite color was purple and she loved collecting owls. Marge was involved in many organizations throughout her life including: Edison School PTCA or PTA, Accountability Committee, Ladies Auxiliary for the Edison Fire Department & Pikes Peak Cattlewomen’s Association. She also helped with numerous fundraising activities including Hee Haw Productions and the Melodramas for the Edison Fire Department. She always volunteered to help with school and sports activities and she never hesitated to provide baked goods or meals whenever they were needed. Oh what a wonderful life she lived and what an example she was to all of us! She was a wonderful wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, co-worker, leader, teacher, helper, organizer, caregiver, and much, much more. Marge is survived by her loving husband, Mayo B. (M.B.) Anderson, children: Jileen (Brian) Taylor of Manzanola, Ronda Wright (Steve Rein) of Fowler, Mark (Randa) Anderson of Rush. Grandchildren: Kendra Taylor (Michael Cooper), Kyle Taylor, Brittany (Tyler) Anderson, Cooper (Brianna) Wright, Kati Anderson (Kail Wilkerson), Tyler B. Anderson, and Lanai Anderson. Great-Grandchildren: Aiden, Presley and Maddox Anderson, and Huxley Wright. Siblings: Bernard (Debbie) Murphy, Kathie (Bob) Panariso, Betty Jean Smith. In-laws: Betty Lynn (Philip) Jensen, Lois (Melvin) Lindt, Wayne (Loraine) Anderson, Betty Jean Studebaker. Cousin: Tommy (Melvina) Skinner. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to Edison Fire Protection District, P.O. Box 185, Yoder, CO 80864, Kendrick Bible Church, 2985 County Road K, Rush, CO 80833, or Highland Baptist Church, 5237 Highland Church Road, Boone, CO 81025.