Ellamae Anderson

June 01, 1922 - April 20, 2015

Ellamae Anderson Obituary (Age 92) Our beloved mother and grandmother, Ellamae, passed away on April 20th in Spokane, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eskil Anderson, and is survived by her daughters, Patricia(Hollis) Barnett, and Susan Quaintance; her grandchildren, Hollis (Liz) Barnett, Aaron (Jennifer) Barnett, Beritt Muse, Ashley (Bobby) McWhirter, and Robbie Quaintance; and five great-grandchildren, Hollis and Avery Barnett, William and Addison Muse and Henry Wittman. She also leaves behind, her brother-in-law, Bill Anderson of Spokane, sister-in-law, Carol Severson of Lacey, WA, numerous nieces and nephews, many special friends, as well as her beloved cat, Muffin. Ellamae was born on June 1, 1922 to George and Helen Shepard in Sandpoint, ID. At the age of seven she lost her mother and she was raised by her mother's close friend, Edna Courser, affectionately referred to as Auntie. She attended elementary and high school in Sandpoint, graduating in 1940. During the War she resided in Sandpoint and then spent three years in Fairbanks, Alaska where she met her future husband, Eskil Anderson. They were married July 4, 1950 and settled in Spokane. They spent most of their summers in northern Stevens County where she accompanied her husband, an exploration geologist, in the field helping with claim staking, core splitting, identifying minerals and driving a Willys jeep on almost impassable roads. She also learned to fish and hunt in order to survive in primitive living conditions. She was an excellent marksman and over the years bagged deer, bear, Dall sheep, elk and a respectable variety of upland birds and waterfowl. She and her husband traveled the world extensively visiting 52 countries and experienced many adventures such as crossing Russia in 1968 on the TransSiberian Railroad and having to be evacuated from Prague, Czechoslovakia during the Russian invasion. Ellamae was a life member of the Women's Auxiliary to the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (WAAIME). She was active with the Northwest Mining Association where she was a trustee from 1977 to 1979, received a life membership in 1988 and was presented the first President's award in 1995. She was a lifelong learner and believed that you are never too old to learn new things: In her 60s she became a graduate gemologist and had her own business, "Gems by Em". She was well known for her meticulous and superior ability to tie pearls, a skill she learned from Asian women during her travels. She prepared a gem specimen collection as well as a teaching workbook for use in the Spokane Public Schools in order to interest students in the earth sciences. She was an avid supporter of the mineral industry and took on the responsibility for raising funds for the creation and installation of the bronze mining statue located in Riverfront Park. She also was a talented pianist and participated in the Spokane Music Festival at the age of 88 receiving a superior rating. She was a whiz at bridge and belonged to several bridge groups. She also loved playing golf and was a lifetime member of the Indian Canyon Ladies Club. Her family and friends referred to her as a jack of all trades with the ability to do anything that she set her mind to. She loved her family and always said she was blessed to have such a great family and many wonderful friends. She was determined, compassionate, caring, kind and humble and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 2nd, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, 4102 S. Crestline. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Spokane, 121 S. Arthur St., Spokane, WA. 99202.