Betty Ann Bloxham Anderson, 90, formerly of Idaho Falls, passed away October 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 sixty years. She was often flamboyant and always carried herself in a commanding, fabulous way.
When Betty was seven 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 & 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 forty 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 1970's 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 Champion"SHIP" 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 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, with Cher Stone officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 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.
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 sixty years. She was often flamboyant and always carried herself in a commanding, fabulous way.
When Betty was seven 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 & 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 forty 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 1970's 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 Champion"SHIP" 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 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, with Cher Stone officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 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.
Betty Ann Bloxham Anderson, 90, formerly of Idaho Falls, passed away October 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 sixty years. She was often flamboyant and always carried herself in a commanding, fabulous way.
When Betty was seven 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 & 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 forty 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 1970's 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 Champion"SHIP" 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 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, with Cher Stone officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 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.
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 sixty years. She was often flamboyant and always carried herself in a commanding, fabulous way.
When Betty was seven 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 & 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 forty 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 1970's 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 Champion"SHIP" 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 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 28, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, with Cher Stone officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 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.
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