1943 – 2014
Pamela Budke Anderson died of long term chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder in Missoula, Montana on May 26, 2014. She was born in Helena, Montana on October 9, 1943 and made her home in Helena until moving to Missoula, Montana in 1979. In 2007, she relocated to the State of Utah in order to live close by to her daughter. Then, in 2014, she returned to Montana for the remainder of her life.
As a child, she lived with her parents, Thelma and Orlando, and brother, Robert Budke, in Seaver Park on the outskirts of Helena. She attended grade school at East Helena Public School and graduated from Helena Senior High School in 1961. In 1962, she married Milton K. “Mick” Anderson and together they had three children, Mark, Elisa, and Paxton. They were later divorced in 1973.
Her career life began in 1972 when she worked briefly as a secretary for Anderson and ZurMuehlen, CPAs. That position was followed by her hiring as the Executive Secretary of the MT Society of CPAs. She continued her work in association management for several years, including her tenure as the Administrative Vice President of the MT Association of Realtors. In 1979, she resigned that position and returned to the University of MT in Missoula and was awarded a Bachelors Degree in Social Work, graduating with High Honors in 1982. At that time, she began a career as a Licensed Addictions Counselor, one that spanned over twenty years until her retirement in 2006. She first worked for Missoula Drug and Alcohol Services, then Recovery Foundation, and finally WMMHC – Turning Point Addiction Services, all in Missoula. She also served on numerous County, and State of MT task force groups and advisory councils as a result of her years of experience in program design and development of intervention programs for DUI offenders.
Mom’s legacy will be a potpourri of values each tailored to the unique characteristics of those lucky enough to seek her guidance and support.
She had no fear of death and would tell anyone that if today was her last day, she considered herself truly blessed in the love and lessons received from, and given to, her children and grandchildren. They gave true meaning and value to her life as she did to ours. A piece of Mom, Gran will continue to live on through all of her family. For a time with the heavy sadness of her passing, but always with love and those lessons to help guide us along the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Orlando, Thelma, and Robert Budke, and is survived by her eldest son, Mark Anderson, and daughter-in-law, Maria of Missoula; her daughter, Elisa Steele and son-in-law, Jim of Utah; youngest son, Paxton and daughter-in-law, Christie, of Spokane; former daughter-in-law, Susan of Missoula; grandsons Joshua Cooper (Utah), McHale Anderson (Missoula), Joseph Steele (Utah), and grandaughters Dominique Cooper (South Carolina), Katherine Anderson (Missoula), Deborah Steele (Utah), Ella Anderson (Washington), Evyn Anderson (Washington), and Embrie Anderson (Washington); nephew Shawn Budke (Kansas); nieces Kimberly Dassler (Colorado) and Amy Budke (Helena); and a cherished family of friends. Had she been able to do so, she would have asked that each of you, as her family and friends, surround yourselves with good memories and know that you are loved by her, today and always.
A private family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate Pamela’s life. The family would ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Pamela’s honor to your local YWCA or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.