Mary Ellen Andersen

Mary Ellen Andersen, the daughter of Ilo Lee and Edna Margarete (Sorensen) Jayne, was born January 6, 1942, at her grandparents’ home in Exira, Iowa and died December 14, 2012, at her home in Exira, Iowa at the age of 70 years, 11 months, and 8 days. Mary was baptized and confirmed at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, Iowa. She attended Exira Elementary School through the fourth grade, then Greeley Center through eighth grade, and then graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1960. Mary then was employed as a telephone operator in Atlantic, Iowa. On May 1, 1961, she was united in marriage to Delbert C. Andersen in Exira, Iowa. They lived in Atlantic for a short time before moving to Exira later that year. Two daughters Tamara and Sally were born to this union. Mary was a home maker for several years while the girls were young. She was a 4-H leader and a Band Booster member while the girls were in school. In 1972, she became employed at the Exchange State Bank in Exira until she retired after working there for 35 years. After accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Saviour in 1964, she joined the First Baptist Church in Brayton, Iowa. She taught Vacation Bible School and a Junior Young Peoples Class for a short time. She served on different committees, held offices in the Women’s Missionary Fellowship and enjoyed working with the church library. Mary taught Primary Sunday School Classes for over 30 years and was the Church Treasurer for 20 years. She also printed the monthly church calendars for a few years. Mary enjoyed decorating cakes, reading, sewing, and later quilting. She also did bookkeeping for her husband’s milk hauling business. She enjoyed her church, home, and flowers. She also enjoyed being with her family, especially being a grandmother. Mary was preceded in death by her daughter Tamara Jayne Melendez; her parents; and her brother-in-law Russell Dean Andersen. Survivors include her husband Delbert C. Andersen of Exira, Iowa; her daughter Sally and husband Dr. Frank Dunham and her granddaughter Natalia Dunham all of Norwalk, Iowa; her sisters: Cleone and husband Duane Tessman of Audubon, Iowa, Verley and husband Roger Johnson of Exira, Iowa, and Marilyn and husband Roger Jones of Clarinda, Iowa; her brothers-in-law: Robert and wife Marilyn Andersen and Richard and wife Sylvia Andersen all of Exira, Iowa, and Wilfred Andersen of Glenwood, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends Monday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home, in Exira, Iowa.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Inman on Tuesday, December 18, 2012, at 10:30 A. M. at the First Baptist Church in Brayton, Iowa.