November 24, 1917 - March 04, 2015
Elfreda Cecelia Anderson, formerly of Moscow, died March 4, 2015 at Pine Ridge Alzheimer Care Center in Spokane, WA. She was 97. - Elfreda was born to Fritz and Else (Smailus) Stotz in Wilkeson, WA, on Nov. 24, 1917. Her parents were German immigrants from Eisern, Westphalia and Heydekrug, East Prussia, respectively. Elfreda graduated from Buckley, WA High School as valedictorian and attended business school in Seattle. She moved to Spokane to work as a secretary at the U.S Conservation Service. In 1940, Elfreda married Hilding W (Andy) Anderson. They made their home in Spokane, and in Moscow, where Andy and Elfreda started the family farm implement business in 1952. Later, she worked for Hayden & Ross, CPA’s. She attended classes at the University of Idaho and obtained her CPA designation. She was the second woman CPA in the State of Idaho. She retired as controller at Gritman Hospital. Elfreda was an active volunteer and leader in many organizations. She was a Cub Scout den mother, a Camp Fire group leader; and president of the Gritman Auxiliary. She was a member of Palouse Patchers, the Moscow Elks Wednesday Ladies Golf League and the Moscow First United Methodist Church. Elfreda approached a broad array of activities with enthusiasm. Elfreda was an avid knitter and quilter. She also enjoyed playing bridge, sewing, and playing the piano. In her retirement years she took up wood carving and playing the violin with old time fiddler groups. She and Hilding loved to spend warm summer days fishing near their Lake Coeur d'Alene trailer. They traveled to visit relatives in Norway and Germany. After Hilding died in 1983, Elfreda traveled to many countries. In 1996, she married Douglas A Ross of Vancouver, BC. They moved to Spokane Valley and lived in the apartments of the Good Samaritan Society for many years. Doug died in April 2015. Elfreda is survived by children, Burt of Colfax, Roger of Spokane, and Kristine (Karl) Wolbach of Spokane, her sister Ruth McRae of Seattle, 3 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren - Elfreda’s brothers, Fred Stoltz and Walter Stoltz, preceded her in death. Elfreda was a kind, gentle, and independent woman. A memorial service for Elfreda will be 1 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the chapel at Good Samaritan Society, Spokane Valley, WA. A private family committal service will be held Friday, June 5 at Moscow Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to Volunteers of America, 525 W 2nd Ave, Spokane WA 99201 or Moscow First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 9774, Moscow ID 83843.
