Emma Juanita Andersen

Emma Juanita Andersen was born June 13, 1931, at Schofield Home in Ronan to Grace and Earl Long. She was the second daughter of four girls, joining older sister Lucy, followed by Cookie and Peggy.

Juanita spent her younger years along the canal at the foot of the Mission Mountains east of Ronan. During her high school years her family lived at the county shop in Polson on the west side of the Flathead River just across the highway 93 bridge. She graduated from high school in 1951. She married Del McManus and had two girls, Coni and Laurie while living in Rollins.

After returning to live in Ronan, Juanita was introduced to the love of her life, Homer Andersen. They married on December 18, 1957. The following year, their third daughter, Shelley was born. A couple of years later their family was complete with their fourth daughter Sandee.

Juanita raised her four daughters at the foot of the mountains east of Polson. She grew a garden with yummy raspberries and vegetables which she canned and kept the root cellar always stocked. She raised chickens and sold the eggs so eventually earned the nickname Chicken Grandma from her grandchildren.

For many years she sold Fuller Brush products to clients along the south and east side of the lake. She was a longtime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW in Polson.

There were always horses for her girls to enjoy as well as dogs and cats and she put in a lot of work feeding and caring for them.

Juanita was a great baker. The family all enjoyed the delicious bread and caramel cinnamon rolls when bread baking day came. She also decorated beautiful cakes for birthdays and weddings. Birthdays were always memorable for the fancy doll skirt, animal shaped and German chocolate cakes.

Juanita was very adept at using her own chain saw, cutting wood to keep the woodshed stocked and continued this until her grandkids took over for her.

Three of Juanita’s daughters gave her 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer L. Andersen, her grandsons Chad Adler and Joseph Dobson, son-in-law Leo Brueggeman, her parents Earl and Grace Long, and her sister Lucille Richwine.

She spent her last few years at St Luke Extended Care where she received excellent care by a wonderful staff. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 26, 2022.

Graveside services for Juanita will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 10:30 A.M. at Lakeview Cemetery.