ANNA LOU ANDERSEN

Sept. 6, 1938–March 19, 2026

Beloved long-time Newcastle, Wyoming, resident, Anna Lou Andersen, passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 87. 

Anna Lou was born Sept. 6, 1938, at her grandmother’s home in Spokane, Washington, to Jake and Gail Little. Anna Lou grew up with two brothers, Chuck and Lee, on their parents’ ranch in Pleasant Valley, Montana. She spent her childhood helping on the ranch, riding her horse, and learning to draw. 

Anna Lou graduated from high school in Kalispell, Montana, in 1956. She met the love of her life, Richard Andersen, when he came to work on the neighboring ranch and they were married on Aug. 28, 1956. Together they had three children, Wade Lee, Clay Carl and Montana Lou. They moved their family to their beloved Redbird Canyon, in the beautiful Black Hills, in 1973. 

Anna Lou spent her time first as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and continuing her art career. She became a very successful artist, selling many of her paintings locally and became a member of The Women Artists of the American West, which she esteemed a great honor to be invited into. She loved riding her horse through the hills and helping many of her neighbors round up their cattle in the fall. Her family remembers her for big family dinners, long horseback rides, the famous cinnamon twists she made every year at Easter, many evenings spent churning homemade ice cream on the front porch, and her unconditional love for them all. Anna Lou loved her family, her horses and her art, but leaves a legacy of loving
her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ above all, whom she shared with not only her family, but with everyone she met.

She is preceded in death by her parents, both brothers, her husband Richard, one great-grandchild and one great-great-grandchild. 

She is survived by her children, Wade Andersen and wife Elaine of Newcastle, Clay Andersen and wife Donelda (Donnie) of Newcastle, Montana Hunter and her husband Sam of Newcastle; grandchildren, Morgan Lenker, Tera Stevens, Weston Andersen, Nate Andersen, Samone Reffstrup, Dillon McDaniel, Keara Roth, Heather Sanchez, Amy Andersen, Seth Hunter and Keasha Wilson; 25 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her body was laid to rest next to her husband, Richard, in the family cemetery in Redbird Canyon. A Celebration of Life will be held
on Monday, April 13, at 4 p.m. at the Church on the Hill in Newcastle. All are welcome, a meal will be provided following the service.