Andra Ruth Baldus

1987 - 2014

God called our angel, Andra Ruth Baldus, to heaven on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014. Formally of Bozeman, she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in West Palm Beach, Fla. where she resided.

Andra was born on Aug. 30, 1987 in Bozeman, the daughter of Paula Matzinger and William Baldus. Growing up in Bozeman, she naturally began skiing at the age of two and through the years skied competitively and of course loved to ski the Bridger Bowl mountain ridge. She was a master of the hills! She also enjoyed her horses, which of course where her friends while living in the country, and being around them since birth. Many day rides and extended camping trips were spent with her horses, family and friends. Her wild side certainly would be displayed when it came to boating. Being her jovial self, lead her to enjoy competition dance, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading and young life. Graduating a semester early, she spent a short time going to MSU, then wanted to spread her wings and go to school at Miami of Ohio. Ultimately she came back to Missoula for her final years of education and graduated near the top of her class (continuously on the honor roll) with a bachelor's degree in business administration/marketing. We were so proud of her and her academic achievements.

With her love for travel, she found herself off to Arizona where she worked for Google's Adword Team, and was known as agent 99, because she received this very high test score. Later she became a consultant, and consulted as an online marketing expert. She consulted for different companies in Arizona, California, Canada, and Florida. Ultimately she chose West Palm Beach, Fla. to reside. Everywhere that life took Andra; she developed loving and lasting relationships. She was so fun, loving and considerate that people were instantly drawn to her. It may have been the twinkle in her bright blue eyes or the warmth she omitted, when you met her, you knew she was special.

Andra, wanted more than anything to have a sister and/or brothers and a family that would accept her and love her for who she was. Her wish came true when her mom married Tim Matzinger. Tim and his three children (and spouses) welcomed her into their family with open arms. They loved her and considered her their little sister, which literally she was with her 5' 3" height and size 5.5 shoe. She so appreciated her nickname from Tim, "Shorty," because that was a sure test that she knew how much Tim loved her, supported her, and treated her as if she were his own. She could never say enough good things about Leeann, loving the fact she finally had a big sister and big brothers that she adored.

Andra is survived by: her mother, Paula Matzinger; her father, William Baldus; her Matzinger family by marriage, including brother, Jeff Matzinger (wife, Katie, children, Lauren, Braden and Madelyn), sister, Leeann Matzinger, and brother, Jason Matzinger (son, Dawson, special friends, Meredith and Amelia); grandmothers, Carole Olsen and Norma Baldus; uncles, Olie Olsen (cousins, Alena, O'lee, Jaylee and special friend, Minda); Lee Olsen (wife, Kim and cousin, Karlee); and aunts, Tammy Howerton (husband, Tim and cousins, Keenan and Kira) and Marissa Olsen.

Our family's hearts are so very heavy. We love and miss you more than you will ever know. We trust God needed your funny wits, spontaneous adventurous self, and fresh and contagious spirit in heaven. You are now in the most comforting arms and safe place possible. May you be at peace our darling daughter.

For those who wish to contribute in Andra's memory, we ask you to consider making a check payable to: Stanford University, Development Services, PO Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309. Include a note stating, "This donation is a gift to be used for narcolepsy research at the Center For Narcolepsy."

An informal sharing of memories will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014 at Dahl Funeral Chapel.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 at Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 Graf, Bozeman.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlcares.com.