Marland "Marlie" Anderson

1951 - 2024

Marland (Marlie)

Anderson 1951 - 2024

Marlie left this life on November 12, 2024, at the age of 72. He was ready to leave the body that had been felled by Parkinson's and rejoin the mountains and rivers that he loved.

He had a childhood with the freedom and joys afforded by a small town in the 1950's in Fergus Falls, MN.

In his early 20s he moved to Bozeman, MT to pursue his true love, skiing. There he fully embraced the lifestyle of a ski town in the '70s and '80s. He met many of his dearest friends during these years. When seasons changed he climbed, biked and boated and always lived for the outdoors. Marlie made 2 trips down the Grand Canyon both kayaking and rafting. Among his favorite memories were the thirty plus wonderful trips he made with friends on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Marlie moved to Hawaii for a few years when he had a chance to become a pilot and then teach flying. Hawaii was always a special place for Marlie and he visited often after he returned to Montana.

Marlie had a talent for business. In the '90s he moved "over the hill" to Livingston and established QuiltTease. It became an eclectic art shop for local talent as well as a quilt shop. He closed the shop and began dreaming of opening a boating business in Livingston. It was during this time that he met Millicent (Sissy) Hampton. She and her daughters Elliot and Katherine welcomed Marlie into the family.

Together Marlie and Sissy worked to realize Marlie's vision for a boating livery and Rubber Ducky River Rentals was born. They operated and grew the rafting business, which enabled many locals who had never been able to boat the river and many visitors to Livingston to enjoy the beautiful Yellowstone River. Being a seasonal business they were able to have winters to ski and travel to boat many rivers in the southern U.S. and Baja in Mexico.

After 23 years, when Marlie's health began to slide, they sold the shop. They then had to make the very difficult decision to leave Montana and so many dear friends and family to move to Colorado to be close to doctors and health facilities as well as daughter Elliot and four grandchildren. Marlie left his heart in the mountains and on the rivers of Montana.

Marlie is survived by his life partner Sissy. Also his brother Dean Anderson and sister-in-law Debra of Fergus Falls and his niece Ashley of New York. He was predeceased by his niece Ali. He is also survived by his daughters Elliot Good and her children Kaya, Roxy, Luca and Audrey of Niwot, CO, and Katherine Clark and her husband Scott and their children Sawyer and Scarlett of Hail Weston, Cambridgeshire, in England. He also leaves behind the last two of the many beloved dogs he had in his life, Guthrie and Huggo.

Marlie could tell a great story, had a photographic memory for words and facts, was a great cook and had boundless energy for living. He was a good, adventurous man.

I wish I could list everyone of the dear friends he had over the years because he treasured you all. Look for him in the mountains and on the rivers.

There will be a celebration of life for Marlie this winter in Montana. If you would like, make a donation to your local food pantry or humane society in his memory.