Betty Ann Bloxham Anderson, 90, formerly of Idaho Falls, passed away Oct. 24, 2017, at Brookdale Senior Living in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Betty took a final bow, and the curtain closed on the life of a fascinating human being and a remarkable teacher. Betty was a dancer, choreographer and instructor for over 60 years. She was often flamboyant and always carried herself in a commanding, fabulous way.
When Betty was 7 years old, her mother, Ann, would drive her to Pocatello and play the piano to pay for Betty's ballet lessons. After she graduated from high school, Betty's grandmother took her to San Francisco to study dance. About this time, the Christensen brothers (William and Lew) organized the San Francisco Ballet, where Betty studied and later performed. In 1945, the ballet had few patrons, but the theaters and clubs were booming. Betty auditioned for several shows and performed at the Stage Door Canteen, Lido Club and Joe DeMaggio's Yacht Club. Close friends and family may recall the infamous "staircase" story.
In 1947, Betty returned to Idaho Falls with her husband, Wilford M. "Andy" Anderson, and together they opened the Betty Anderson Studio of Dance. She also taught dancing on the weekends to children who lived on ranches near Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In addition to the studio, Betty was an instructor for the National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists in Los Angeles. During this time, she studied with Ruth St. Dennis and Nico Charisse. She operated the studio in Idaho Falls for over 40 years and held a dance recital every spring before a capacity audience at the Civic Auditorium.
In 1957, she toured Europe with the Eileen O'Connor dancers. She studied ballet at Sadler's Wells (Royal Ballet) in London and at the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in Monaco. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, television variety shows created a demand for dancers and entertainers. Based on her experience as a teacher and choreographer, Betty taught dance in Los Angeles, where her students performed on stage in Hollywood, Disneyland and Las Vegas. Several of her students went on to become cast members in national theatrical productions, movies and television shows. Several students formed lifelong friendships with the family and have commented, that Betty changed their lives "one step at a time."
In the early 1970s, Betty and Andy operated a dance supply business (Taffy's) in Salt Lake City. In 1974, at Utah Governor Calvin Rampton's request, Betty served as the director of the Ballet Folklorico and accompanied the dance company to Mexico City for a series of performances at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. After her husband passed away, she formed a dance group for senior citizens in Idaho Falls - the Betty Anderson Dancers. In 1997, the Betty Anderson Dancers won the Gold Award in the All American Dance ChampionSHIP, a dance competition sponsored by the Carnival cruise company.
Betty was active in community theater productions, pageants, talent shows and the restoration of the Colonial Theater. She hosted legendary parties at her home attended by artists, friends and local notables. Betty literally danced until she couldn't dance anymore and acknowledged that "the end of one step is the beginning of the next." She moved to Salt Lake City in 2012 to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Andy; parents, Charles and Ann Bloxham; and her brother, Jack Bloxham (Billie Jean) Indio, California. She is survived by her sister, Jerry Rutledge, Wickenburg, Arizona, and her son, Craig W. Anderson, and daughter-in-law, Denise A. Dragoo, Salt Lake City. Other local family members include Rodney Metcalf and Ann Ker (K.D.).
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Ave., with Cher Stone officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Ballet West at balletwest.org/donate or 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City UT 84101. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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I only found out this information recently! Betty was my dance teacher for 12 years. I was among her very first students who she used to call "my babies" even when we were teenagers! She brought me out of my shy shell and ultimately changed my life. In later years when I taught my own students I always modeled my teaching on her example! She made every student feel important and cherished!
Cheryl Eames
Other
December 3, 2023
Betty always lighted up the room no matter where she was - there's no one light her - beautiful inside & out.
Cheryl Clayton
October 20, 2020
Betty was a delightful person with so much talent and personality - she was always happy and made me feel happy just being around her. She was a huge asset to Idaho Falls, and a friend to so many people.
Cheryl Clayton
Friend
October 20, 2019
Betty was one of the most lovely, positive dance teachers! She was instrumental to my becoming a dancer, if not for her I never would have toured the world dancing and have made so many friends and wonderful memories. And she had the most beautiful legs, I still remember them. Dance on, Dear Betty! ~ Alice Brydges
Alice Brydges
July 7, 2018
I am sorry for your loss.
October 30, 2017
My condolences to the family. Betty taught me dance back in the early 50's. I thought of her often throughout my life, as she was a beautiful talented and gentle woman.
Barbara Miller
October 28, 2017
Betty was a delightful teacher. Loved taking senior dance classes from her. She made the rest of the world disappear when we were in her classes. She helped us to develop confidence and the ability to perform. It was a wonderful time. She has touched for good the lives of a great many people. She will always have a special place in my heart.
Sonja Larsen
October 27, 2017
Betty was a friend to everyone. She was beautiful inside and outside and will be missed but not forgotten. Cheryl Clayton
October 27, 2017
My deepest sympathies. Please know that God is near to comfort you. Isaiah 51 : 12
October 27, 2017
This beautiful lady was indeed the greatest dance teacher ever. Her dance recitals at the Civic Auditorium were a wonderful production with gorgeous costumes. She gave me a sense of worth and self esteem like no other teacher ever.
Jane L. Hansen
October 26, 2017
We are very sorry to hear about Betty's passing. Our family and the Bloxham/Anderson family have always been close. Betty was one of my mother's closest friends growing up in Idaho Falls and her brother Jack was the same for my dad when they were younger. Craig was my first friend and Betty taught both my sisters dancing.
Betty was always very generous and kind, as is Craig. When we used to play together as kids, I always thought that they lived in a mansion. She brought a great deal of style and a "larger life" to Idaho Falls. IF is not the same town it used to be and with the passing of her generation, that bucolic time seems further away.
She will be missed.
Pat Skelton
October 26, 2017
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Wood Funeral Home -Idaho Falls273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, ID 83402
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