Obituary of Gail L Anderson

Gail Lynn Zehr Anderson, 59 of Middleton passed away January 5, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Boise. She was born April 15, 1964, to Vernon and Linda Harvey Zehr in Caldwell, Idaho. She and her older brother, Rod, grew up on their parents’ family farm in Middleton, Idaho. She attended school in Middleton and graduated in May of 1982.  

Gail worked in retail for several years. In 1989, while working the fuel desk at Burns Brothers Truck Stop in Boise, she met her life partner Robert Anderson, who she affectionately called “Bobby”. They were married on August 31, 1991, in Coeur d Alene, Idaho and lived in Spokane, Washington for several years. They were the best thing that happened to each other, truly soulmates providing support and family to one another. While working in the bookkeeping field, she decided to pursue an Associates of Arts degree in accounting and graduated from Spokane Community College in June of 1998. Her career required her to be organized and detailed, which suited her well. Shortly after graduation, Gail and Bobby moved back to Idaho and in 2000 they purchased five acres in Middleton. She loved living back in her hometown where they have resided since and she continued her career as a bookkeeper.

Gail had also had a strong affinity for animals. So much so, she surrounded herself with them all her life. She showered them with love and would proudly tell you her dogs, cats and horses were her babies and best buddies. She endlessly held, hugged and cuddled her dogs and cats and spent many hours riding her horse on the canal banks around her house in Middleton. She was working with her niece teaching her to ride. Gail enjoyed flower gardening and landscaping their place. Her mom had taught her how to sew at a young age and with that talent she finished an heirloom quilt made from “Sun Bonnet” cutouts that were handed down from her great-grandma Harvey (her mother’s grandmother).

Gail was strong, courageous, modest and self-effacing, a breast cancer survivor. She shunned the spotlight and was easily caught off guard by compliments, blushing and grinning. She had an immense capacity to love and treasured each of her relationships, family and friends alike. She grew up surrounded by her large family, full of cousins whom she was extremely close to. She had a big heart, always there to lend a hand or give support, whenever and wherever needed, with a smile on her face. She was and is loved by all her family and will be tremendously missed.  

Gail is survived by her husband Robert “Bobby” Anderson, father Vernon Zehr, brother and wife Rodney and Chawntel Zehr, nephews Tyler, Taylor, Tanner and niece Tabitha Zehr. She also has aunts, uncles and cousins from both her father and mother’s family.  

Gail is preceded in death by her mother Linda Ann Harvey Zehr, her grandparents Kenneth and Ingalis Harvey and Melvin and Jessie Zehr; an aunt Lois Alberta Christy, uncles Jerry Robert Devereaux, Leonard Elbert Harvey, Melvin Joseph Zehr and a cousin Anthony “Tony” Page.

Flahiff’s Funeral Chapels & Crematory is handling arrangements. Gail’s family has chosen to have a memorial service for her when the weather has warmed.   

“Afterglow” by Helen Lowrie Marshall 

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.”

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