Jody Anderson

Joanne “Jody” Lorraine Rhoads Anderson passed away at her Missoula home on March 7, 2019- just one day after her 82nd birthday. She fought a truly courageous battle with cancer. Jody was born March 6,1937 in Lovell, Wyoming, the first child of Willard Claude Rhoads and Ellice Elaine Neville Rhoads. She grew up on the family’s cattle ranch near Cody, Wyoming and enjoyed many adventures, some of the best with her cousin, Bob Richard, and close friend, Beryl Churchill. In her own words, she said she “Was born with one foot in the stirrup and the other on a tractor.” Jody loved to share wonderful childhood stories about horseback riding, fishing, piano lessons, girl scout adventures and attending Wapiti School, a one room schoolhouse. In high school, Jody especially enjoyed studying French and participating in A Cappella and Madrigal Choirs. She was valedictorian of her class and would go on to lead a life full of educational endeavors.

Jody met the love of her life, LeRoy Anderson, in 1957 at Brigham Young University. The two were married in the L.D.S., Idaho Falls Temple on August 6,1958. They were truly inseparable throughout life and will be for eternity. Jody and Roy designed and built a beautiful home together in Missoula, Montana and raised two lovely daughters, Elaine Ann- born in 1967 and Catherine Ellice- born in 1972.

Jody received her BA in elementary education with a minor in music from BYU, in 1959. Throughout her lifetime, she held many interesting positions. She was a lab technician in analytical spectroscopy, an extremely gifted teacher (English, special education, music and other subjects), a church organist, piano accompanist and teacher, and a medical librarian. She was selected as Saint Patrick Hospital’s outstanding Employee in 1984. Jody Co-authored several books, including No longer Silent, with husband Roy, and The Book of Musical Scales, with Lucien Hut.

Jody’s two daughters remember a house filled with music and good company. Jody was an excellent cook and always had a place ready for any guest who might come by; nobody was a stranger in Jody’s presence!

Jody was passionate about raising scholarship money for college women, both through P.E.O. and Vasa. She will be remembered by all, for her giving nature, tenacity, love for travel and bubbly personality.

Jody was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Lorin Anderson, and many beloved uncles, aunts and cousins. Her soulmate and husband, Roy Anderson, passed in 2024.

Jody is survived by her daughters, Elaine Anderson-Wood (Brady and son Edge), Catherine Anderson (Doug and son Anton); her exchange student daughters, Lotta Bornefalk, Ritsuko Ito, and Trine Moller; her brother, Howard Rhoads; “brother” John Garrity; sister-in-law Donna Pitcher Fisher; numerous nieces and nephews, including Hal Meng; “sister,” Carolyn Sheley and beloved childhood friend, Beryl Churchill. Jody’s “sister,” Nancy Wulfing is now deceased, as are some of her cousins mentioned below (post 2019).

Jody had many cousins whom she was close to on both sides of her family, including Bob Richard, Marilyn Hanley and Robert Dan Olson (The Neville side- living); Peggy Mills (The Rhoads side- living), Bette Jade Darnell and Pete Adams (The Rhoads side- now deceased).

Jody made friends wherever she went and was close to her teaching colleagues, musical friends and those she met through the U of M, her P.E.O Sisterhood and Vasa (Swedish) family. The following women, among others, were seen by Jody as adopted Missoula sisters: Jan Feddersen, Jean Pfau McClellan, Joan Newman, Karen Erickson, Katherine Skinner, Mary Jean Brod, Setsuko Roberts and Youngee Cho.

The family would like to thank those who helped during the time in which Jody’s sudden decline coincided with Roy’s return from the hospital: Liddi Elrod, Mary Jane Tangedahl, Perri Griffin, Sylvia Funk and others.

Jody loved animals of every kind. She was a knowledgeable horsewoman and adored the pets she had from childhood on. She is survived by her two beloved cats, who gave her comfort during Roy’s long stay in the hospital prior to her passing.

A celebration of Jody’s life was held on Friday, June 21 at 1:30 P.M. at Benson Farm in Missoula (attire: summer semi-formal to casual). A small reception was lovingly organized by P.E.O. and Vasa, with help from close friend, Setsuko Roberts. The family is thankful to Jody’s many cousins and friends who were able to attend the celebration, and to those who helped Roy, Elaine and Cathy afterward and/or made donations (to Chapter BO of P.E.O. or Dolce Canto).

The family is thankful to finally be able to post complete obituaries for both of their parents. Many factors made it impossible to do so up until this point.

You can reach Elaine and Brady Anderson-Wood through email if you would like to visit the family home, plant something in the garden or take a cutting. stay@bluemountainbb.com