Roger Anderson, of Twin Falls died peacefully at his home on December 10, 2009. He was surrounded by family and friends.
Roger was born September 20, 1936 in Duchesne, Utah. He moved to Jerome, Idaho with his family in the mid 1940's. He graduated from Jerome High School in 1954. After high school he joined the National Guard and while serving his country, made many life-long friends. In 1958 he married Pat Steinbruck and had two children, Randy and Shelly Anderson. Roger and Pat divorced and he married Trudy Denton and helped raise Trudy's daughter, Tracee Shank. Later, Roger and Trudy divorced and in 1981 he married the love of his life, Sue Cheney. Roger and Sue raised Sue's three daughters, Kelly Stropel, Tammy Wilson& Tanya Harrell. Roger was fond of saying he raised ten girls (must have seemed that way).
For most of his career, Roger was in the automotive business. Rogers's father, Burt, was in the auto repair business for a number of years and this influenced Roger to pursue a career in the automotive business. He started at Mendenhall's Auto Parts in the 1950's, working behind the counter and as a deliveryman. He worked his way up in the automotive business, holding a number of sales and management positions and accumulated numerous awards along the way. After a long career at Motor Merc, where he was the general manager of Southern Idaho and Northern Utah. Roger retired from the corporate world and started his own small business called Roger's Tool. He continued to work at this business, sometimes full time and sometimes part time, for many years and has many friends in the automotive industry.
Roger had many interests and hobbies but a common theme ran through all. His interests revolved around the mountains and his cabin on Big Smokey Creek, north of Fairfield, Idaho. He helped his father build this cabin in the late 40's and early 50's and never tired of the peace and tranquility he found in the mountains. He was one of the first people in Southern Idaho to own a snow machine; the main reason for the snow machine was to get to the cabin in the winter. He loved to tie flies and fly fish on big Smokey Creek, near the cabin. He learned to snow ski on Soldier Mountain at the age of 44 (also near the cabin). Grudgingly he hunted deer and elk with his son near the cabin and was forever hoping they didn't shoot anything….too much work. Roger and his wife, Sue, went on a number of cruises, one of which was particularly notable because he won the "savage tan" contest, which is not easy for a fair skinned, blond haired, blue eyed man who hides from the sun. Roger had a zest and a zeal for life and he will be missed.
Roger is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sue; children, Randy Anderson (Boise); Shelly Anderson (Boise); Tracee Shank (Twin Falls); Kelly Stropel (Austin, Texas); Tammy Wilson (Boise); Tanya Harrell (Jerome) and 14 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Burt Stevens; his mother, Melba Stevens; his sister, Janine Menhorn; and his brother, Don Stevens.
The funeral and celebration of his life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2009 at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, 2466 Addison Ave. East, Twin Falls. The service will be followed by lunch (everyone welcome) as the LDS church at 723 Hankins Road North, Twin Falls. A viewing for family and friends will be on Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present. Graveside services will be at 3:00 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your favorite charity in Roger's name.