Anita Alice Niedge Pearl's Obituary
Anita Alice Niedge Pearl
Affectionately known to many as Gramsie
Anita was born on August 29, 1931, in Miles City, Montana, to Louis and Rachel Morton Niedge. Her father, Louis, was born in Hungary. His family immigrated and eventually settled in Pennsylvania, where he worked in coal mining before hopping a train west as a teenager. Her mother, Rachel, came west from Oklahoma, and together they raised a large and loving family in Montana.
Anita was one of six siblings: Phyllis (James Martin), Anita herself, twins Dorie (Robert Batey) and Donny (Marian), Barry (Donna), and Michael (Linda). She spent part of her childhood in Marysville, California, and later in Rosebud, Montana, where she rode horseback to elementary school and played basketball at Rosebud High School alongside her sister Phyllis.
On May 16, 1953, Anita married Allen Eugene Pearl. Their daughter, Cynthia Rae, was born in Choteau, Montana, on February 10, 1954. Allen's job with Shell Oil took their young family to Wyoming, North Dakota and Texas, but Montana always called them home. In 1970, Anita made a bold move to Anchorage, Alaska, with her daughter and husband.
Later settling in the Wasilla area, Anita worked as a cook at the local hospital and embraced life in Alaska—snowmobiling, camping, and finding joy in the community she built there. In 1987, she moved to Bellevue, Washington, to be near her daughter’s family, and then later returned to Miles City to live with her father.
In 2010, Anita moved one final time to join her daughter and family in the Salt Lake City area. In every new place, Anita brought with her warmth, laughter, and friendship. She had a gift for making friends and being at home wherever she was.
Anita often spoke with deep gratitude for her daughter, Cyndi, and her son-in-law, Lance, saying, “I don’t know what I did to deserve them!” She never missed an opportunity to declare her love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, proudly insisting, “I’m prejudiced, but I have the most beautiful grandchildren!” And just recently, she made us laugh with a twinkle in her eye as she said, “Not one of them is a throwaway.”
Anita’s daily refuge was in the love of God. She was devoted to her church family and could often be found reading her Bible and devotionals, or quietly praying for her loved ones and anyone in need. Compassion and empathy marked her life.
For Anita, home was always being with family. Cyndi’s family made Utah home for Gramsie, but a piece of her heart remained in Montana—especially with her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Her longing for home reminds us all that we are, in some way, looking for home too. And perhaps Anita would want us to remember that true home is found in trusting Jesus.
May her legacy of faith, love, and laughter live on in all of us (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9-10; Revelation 21:3-5).
Celebration of Life services will be held on Friday, June 6th at 1 PM at Sego Lily church, 615 East Sego Lily Drive, Sandy, Utah 84092
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to: Ben and Rachel with World Outreach
at https://world-outreach.com/web/giving-missionaries/ (look for Ben and Rachel B)
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