Martha Anderson, known as Mart by all her friends, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2014 at the age of 81. She was born in Thermopolis, Wyo. on March 14, 1933, the fourth child of Fred Newell and Mildred Callison Newell.
Mart grew up in Cody, Wyo., graduating from the Cody High School in 1951. After high school, she attended the Minneapolis Business School for Women. For most of her career, she was employed in the banking industry. She later was a real estate agent for United Farm Realty.
In 1953 Mart found herself frequenting a local grocery store more than was likely necessary. It wasn’t that she was so taken with the canned goods, but she was very taken with the young man putting them on the shelves. His name was Richard Gregory. They were married and blessed with the two joys of Mart’s life; their daughters, Thena and Wendy.
In 1968 she married Bill Dohse and welcomed into her life the enjoyment of being a step-mother to his wonderful children, Patricia, Michael, Candy and Robert. As she opened her heart to the place she called home, Moab Utah.
In 1976 she married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Anderson. In this union she was graced with again being a step-mother to Gail, Linda, Russell, Chris and Shelly. All that knew Martha and Bob knew their was a home filled with love, grace and always a good joke, and with any luck Marts chocolate cake.
Mart’s greatest passion was the deserts and mesas that surround the Moab area. Many days and hundreds of hours were spent basking in the beauty of the desert as she hiked the many trails and passages always gracefully honoring the gifts that only the Canyonlands could offer.
Mart strongly believed in staying active in both mind and body. She enjoyed her afternoon card game with her friends – if you visited her home you would always find a table covered by a new jig-saw puzzle in progress that she would work on between gardening projects and visits with friends.
Her family and friends were awed and inspired by her strength and endurance. Each were blessed with a unique love and closeness for her that grew even stronger as she gracefully struggled to leave this mortal existence. As each heart was lighten by her never failing sense of humor.
She is survived by her brother Ralph (Dixie), Thermopolis, Wyo.; daughters Thena (Mickie) Capshaw, Casper, Wyo., and Wendy (Ron) Flanders, Moab; grandchildren Megon (Matt) Adams, Casper, Wyo., Derek Lahusen, Salt Lake City, Katelyn Lahusen, Bali, Indonesia, Taylor Flanders, Salt Lake City, Adam Flanders, Moab, five great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews along with her extended family as well as some of the best friends a woman could ask for.
The family would like to express their thanks to the Canyonlands Care Center and Rocky Mountain Care for all their support and kindness as well as many supportive family and friends who shared their love during the last few weeks.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Canyonlands Care Center. A Memorial Service is planned for August when Mart’s and Bob’s ashes will be reunited.
She, with all her kindness will be missed by so many.
