Nellie Viola Anderson

Nellie V. "Babe" Anderson 1913 - 2009 Nellie Viola "Babe" Anderson, 96 of Twin Falls, Idaho passed away peacefully at her home. Nellie was born December 5, 1913 in Vesta, Nebraska, the daughter and 13th child of George Thomas and Mary (Marsh) Mason. Her mother died in 1921 when Nellie was 8 years old, and she then was assigned the task of the Family Laundry. She spent hours washing and pressing white shirts, dresses and overalls. Her work ethic was learned at a very early age as she shouldered more and more of the responsibilities of cooking and cleaning. On August 9, 1930, Nellie married Floyd Anderson in Seneca, KS. To this union were born three children, Betty, Mary and Dan. In 1934, the family moved to Idaho and Floyd worked throughout the Magic Valley. During the War in the 1940's, Floyd and Nellie moved their family to California and Floyd worked in the Shipyards. Nellie kept herself busy as a wife and a mother. After WWII, the family returned to Idaho and settled on the Stricker Ranch. Floyd went to farming and Nellie went to the task of feeding the farmhands. During Harvest time, she would produce huge pots of Chicken and Noodles and homemade Bread. She was famous for her hand-rolled noodles. Nellie would not care if there were 5 or 55 people, she would always see that there was food enough to feed them all. Nellie's father, George came to live with them in his retirement years, their home was a base for him and he would travel from there to visit with his other children. Floyd retired from farming in 1975. Nellie and Floyd enjoyed a 30 year retirement in their house on Polk St. in Twin Falls, ID. They traveled extensively in their motor home throughout the Mid and Western United States. They also built a cabin in the Stanley Basin of the Sawtooth National Range, where 5 generations of family enjoyed two decades of summer fun and winter memories. Nellie loved camping, snowmobiling, and especially her "Cabin in the Mountains". She was a gardener and an exceptional cook. No one could make Noodles or Fry Chicken like her. Sunday dinners were an event at her home, and every Sunday, she gathered the family together and everyone ate all of her wonderful homemade goodies. When she wasn't cooking, she was a huge fan of Arctic Circle Hamburgers and had one every Wednesday and Papa Murphy's Pizza. Her favorite pizza was the Garlic Chicken and she ordered it so often, they took to calling it "Grandma's Pizza". Nellie was also a big fan of dancing and playing the slots in Jackpot. She and Floyd would love to travel there and dance and she would play her quarters. She was not at all pleased when they replaced the manual slots with automatic machines that took and dispensed paper. She loved to hear the coins clink into the tray when she won. Nellie was an exceptional mother and grandmother. Many times she assumed the role of 2nd Mother for her grandkids. When they were with her, they were well cared for and had the opportunity to travel to wonderful places and see the world through Grandma's eyes. She was a wonderful woman with a huge heart and she bestowed her love on her family constantly. Floyd passed away on April 16, 2005. Nellie was lonely but continued on to share her families lives and had many adventures. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be eternally missed. Surviving Nellie are her children, Betty (Jim) Prunty; Mary (Don) Norris and Dan (Charlene) Anderson; all of Twin Falls, ID. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren (& 2 on the way) Her mother Mary, Father George, brothers, Charles, Bill, George, Myron, Art, John, Jim and Earl, and sisters, Vira, Lily, Alice and Eva, her husband, Floyd and infant granddaughter, Connie Jean Jesser preceded her in death. Funeral Services for Nellie will be held Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. at the Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho with Pastor Dale Metzger officiating. Interment will be held following services at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls, Idaho. Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 6:00-8:00 P.M. at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to Idaho Home Health & Hospice 826 Eastland Drive, Twin Falls, ID 83301 or Rock Creek Community Church 262 5th Ave. East, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. Those wishing to share condolences may do so at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.