Violet May Andersen

Violet May Andersen, the daughter of Hans and Magdalena (Mayer) Hansen was born January 2, 1930, at her parents’ home in Cameron Township Audubon County, Iowa and died January 6, 2019, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 89 years and 4 days.
Violet was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. When Violet was young her family lived in Melville Township and then settled in Viola Township. During this time she attended several one room rural schools then attended the Viola school graduating with the High School Class of 1948. Along with studying at school she worked and cooked for several area farm families. She was active in 4-H and received a scholarship from Farm Bureau which she utilized when she attended the Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Violet graduated with a Teaching Certificate and taught at the Viola Consolidated Schools and in several one room rural schools.
On August 2, 1950, she was united in marriage to Darrell “Arch” Andersen in the living room of Ed and Greta Franck by Pastor Bollasen who was the Pastor at Ebenezer Lutheran Church west of Audubon. They were blessed with two children Vicki and Reggie. Violet was the secretary at the County Superintendents office at the court house for a short time and also was a substitute teacher in Audubon County, Shelby County, and Carroll County but was a home maker when the children were young and only taught when she could find a suitable baby sitter. In 1957 Violet and Arch started their own plumbing and heating business. They operated Andersen Plumbing and Heating for several years, then owned and operated the Dairy Queen for a few years. Later on they were in partnerships in owning and operating the bowling alley, restaurants, the Audubon News Advocate, the Exira Journal, the Irwin Post, and the Holiday Motel. Violet studied and became a licensed real estate salesperson. She and Arch operated their own real estate business.
Violet was an active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday school and served on the church council. She was a member of the Ladies Circle and involved in many of the activities of the church. She was a member of the Audubon County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Friendship Home Auxiliary, was a member of the Audubon Chamber of Commerce. Violet was a board member of the Audubon County Historical Society and the Audubon County Tourism board. Violet and Arch almost always worked as a team each supporting the other and they were awarded the Volunteers of the Year in 2012 at the Friendship Home. During retirement Violet and Arch bought a motor home and traveled south for several weeks during the winter and then visited the many national parks with Yellowstone being their favorite and even drove to Alaska. Violet enjoyed growing flowers and raised Hibiscus, petunias, and geraniums. She enjoyed baking and made amazing birthday cakes. She also enjoyed crocheting and made many afghans and prayer shawls.
Preceding her in death was her parents; her sisters and brothers Rose and husband Edward Bylund, Dale and wife Lorraine Hansen, Richard Hansen, Eleanor Mainelli, Carolyn and husband Dale Hoffman, and Charlotte and husband Dennis Kinney; her sisters-in-law Darlene Andersen and Betty and husband Darrell Newell.
Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Arch Andersen of Audubon, Iowa; her children Vicki Rakowsky of Omaha, Nebraska and Reggie and wife Caroline Andersen of Clear Lake, Iowa; her grandchildren and great grandchildren Ryan and wife Emily Rakowsky and their children Grace, Riley, and Olivia all of Omaha, Nebraska, Sara and husband Simon Gittins and their son Arthur Gittins all of New York City New York, Brian Andersen and his daughter Gabrielle all of Buffalo Center, Iowa, and Joseph Andersen of Clear Lake, Iowa; her sister Anna England of Omaha, Nebraska; her sister-in-law Marilyn Hansen of Manning, Iowa; her brother-in-law Bud Andersen of Audubon, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening, January 9, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Ben Unseth on Thursday morning, January 10, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Jay D. Hansen, Kyle Hansen, Doug Hansen, Larry Bylund, Jim Zahn, and Mark Andersen. The family prefers gifts in memoriam will be distributed to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, the Friendship Home, the Audubon Lions Club, and the Audubon Historical Society.