RBC | The Rio Blanco County Pioneers Association Spirit of the Pioneers Award was posthumously conferred upon Patricia Ann Anderson on June 3, 2023. Her husband of 41 years, Harold Anderson, also received the Spirit of the Pioneers Award this year. Their plaques begin with the following statement: “The legendary Pioneer Spirit of the hardy and brave men, women and children who experienced great dangers, hardships, illness and uncertainty to journey West into the beautiful White River Valley continues in many of their descendants today. There, they created homesteads, farms, ranches and businesses requiring a great deal of courage, grit, determination and faith to endure, to do the right thing and to greatly succeed. Their enviable and proud legacy lives on in their pioneer descendants, some of whose families have remained through many generations in this wonderful country.”
Patricia Ann Collins Anderson of Meeker, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2023. Patty was born March 26, 1941, to Dallas James and Anna Margaret (Burke) Collins. After graduating from Meeker High School in May of 1959, Patty married Alfred Marlin George in June of the same year. From this union, came four children: Edy Lynn, James Alfred, Jo Anna, and Thomas
Richard. Together, they raised their family in Cedaredge, Colorado. Patty was part of many organizations including Cedar Teens, Little Britches Rodeo, was a member of the Surface Creek Art Festival, as well as many other organizations and activities.
In 1979, Patty moved back to Meeker where she met and later married the love of her life, Harold John Anderson. The couple was married in September of 1981. With this union, Patty gained two more children, John Travis Anderson and Tracey Dawn (Anderson) Olmsted.
Patty was extremely passionate about the preservation and history of Rio Blanco County. She was an active 30-year board member of the Rio Blanco County Historical Society and White River Museum, as an exhibits docent where she coordinated the restoration and display of art and regalia of the Native American White River Ute Tribe artifacts as well as the U.S. Cavalry military regalia and artifacts of the Garrison Officer’s Quarters with Tom Kilduff.
Patty and Harold served on the Range Call Committee and were named Parade Grand Marshalls. Patty served on the Annual Twilight of the Ute Empire Pageant staff with regalia and makeup for actors, coaching children in the cast, repairing and replacing costumes and much more.
Patty and Harold served on the Pioneers Association Committee and attended Old Timers reunions for four decades.
Patty and Harold initiated a restoration and conservancy of historic rural gravesites of Rio Blanco County, ensuring gravesites were cataloged and suitable markers provided. She also was an active member of the Rio Blanco Cattlewomen’s Association.
She took great pride in preserving the history of the place she called home, and people she called family.
Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Dallas and Anna Collins; her brothers Ed and his wife Carolyn Collins; Joseph Collins; Richard Collins; her father-in-law, Carl Anderson and mother-in-law Margrete Anderson Johnson, as well as many other family members and dear friends. She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Harold Anderson; her six children Edy Lynn George; James (Cheryl) George; Jo Anna (Lonnie) Tate; Thomas (Jennifer) George; Travis (Teresa) Anderson; Tracey (Josh) Olmsted, 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Donna (Joe) Collins and Sally (Richard) Collins, as well as many other family members and friends.
Harold John Anderson is a third-generation native of Rio Blanco County in Meeker. Five of the original Anderson siblings emigrated from Sweden in the 1880s. They all settled in Aspen until the silver bust. Olaf Anderson first homesteaded property in Powell Park in 1886, followed by his brother, August, in the 1890s and John and sister Johanna in the early 1900s.
An Anderson family reunion of Swedish descendants was held in 2014 reuniting sibling families at the Powell Park Ranch. The Olaf Anderson property is still owned by Harold’s daughter Tracey and husband Josh.
Harold was born Nov. 11, 1940, to Carl and Margrete. After graduating from Meeker High School in 1958, Harold remained active on the family ranch and started his family life.
The Anderson Ranch qualified as a State of Colorado Centennial Farm and Ranch which requires continuous ownership and operation by the same family for more than a century.
Harold Anderson was married to Winona Sefcovic. From this union were born John Travis Anderson and Tracey Dawn (Anderson) Olmsted.
Harold later met Patricia Ann [Collins] George. The couple was married in September of 1981.
The family then included six children: Edy Lynn George; James (Cheryl) George; Jo Anna (Lonnie) Tate; Thomas (Jennifer) George; Travis (Teresa) Anderson; Tracey (Josh) Olmsted, 18 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Donna (Joe) Collins and Sally (Richard) Collins, as well as many other family members and friends.
Harold and Patty served on the Range Call Celebration Committee for decades, and were selected as Grand Marshals for the Range Call parade.
He is a Past President of Rio Blanco County Stockgrowers and a Past President of Rio Blanco County Farm Bureau. Harold and Patty served as officers and attended every Pioneers Association reunion for four decades.
Harold and Patty researched many rural grave sites in Rio Blanco County, restored and provided suitable grave markers.
Submitted to the Herald Times
