Dorothy Ilien Anderson

Dorothy Ilien Carlson Anderson, the youngest of nine children of Albin and Rose Etta Lofgren Carlson, was born December 8, 1923, at her parents’ home near Griswold, Iowa and went home to Heaven on December 28, 2011, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 88 years and 20 days. Dorothy was raised in the Griswold area. After completing the 8th grade at a rural country day school she worked at the age of 13 in many area homes doing household tasks and chores. Later she was employed at the Red Oak Bakery. On September 29, 1943, she was united in marriage to Bernard L. Anderson at her parents’ home southeast of Griswold, Iowa. They were happily married for 50 years and are now reunited again for all eternity. They were blessed with three daughters. They lived in Griswold until 1952 when they moved to a farm outside of Brayton, Iowa. Dorothy worked doing personal care for Leola Huyck. They operated the farm for Bernard’s father until Bernard had back surgery and then moved to Exira, Iowa. Dorothy worked at the Valley Restaurant for several years. When the Exira Care Center opened Dorothy began working there, later earning her Certified Nurses Assistant degree. Dorothy was employed there for over 25 years until she retired. Bernard died July 19, 1993. Dorothy was able to remain in her home in Exira, Iowa. Dorothy was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Brayton since 1952. In these years she taught Sunday School, Bible School, held many offices, enjoyed music and hosted numerous pastors, speakers, missionaries and friends, all who she remained in touch with over the years. As a prayer warrior, she had an impact on many people’s lives. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Bernard L. Anderson; her parents; her brother LeRoy Carlson; her sisters: Mabel (Mrs. Paul) Hogberg, Mildred (Mrs. Carl) Strom, Melvina (Mrs. Bill) Carlson, Minnie (Mrs.Arnold) Kunze, Ruby (Mrs. Leland) Malmberg, Maragret (Mrs. Melvin) Lawson; her brothers-in-law: Uno Freed, LaRoy and wife Lillie Anderson. Survivors include her daughters: Sylvia and husband Dick Andersen of Exira, Iowa, Shirlee and husband David Bower of Massena, Iowa, Sharan Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska, her grandchildren: Jeffrey and wife Brenda Andersen of Kearney, Missouri, Jane and husband Robert Archuleta of Brighton, Colorado, Jerry and wife Heather Andersen of Englewood, Colorado, Beth and husband David Spieker of Massena, Barry and wife Bobbi Bower of Mojave Valley, Arizona, Joey and wife Shari Kragelund of South Pasadena, California, Jimmy and wife Jen Kragelund of Indianola, Nebraska, Kara and husband Mark Cover of Elkhorn, Nebraska; 9 great grandsons; 7 great granddaughters; her sister Eleanor Freed of Red Oak, Iowa; her sisters-in-law: Maudeline Carlson of Clarinda, Iowa, Marilyn Anderson of Houston, Texas; her brother-in-law Herbert and wife Barb Anderson of Omaha, Nebraska; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Exira Cemetery in Exira.

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Sunday evening at 6:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steve Inman on Monday, January 2, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Brayton, Iowa.