Winnifred Catherine Andersen

Winnifred Catherine Andersen, the daughter of L. Calvin and Effie Freeman Langston, was born September 20, 1919, at her parents farm in Fremont County, near Sidney, Iowa and died July 14, 2009, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 24 days.
Winnifred was baptized in the Methodist Church in Thurman, IA. She attended Sidney Community Schools graduating from the Sidney High School with the Class of 1937. She attended normal training then taught rural schools in Fremont County. On June 27, 1940 she eloped to Bentonville, AR where she married Charles Jenkins. Two sons, Larry and John were born to this union. They moved to Exira, IA., where Winnifred was a substitute teacher and a homemaker. Charles died May 31, 1953. Winnifred worked for Bredahl Pharmacy and the local newspaper.
On July 17, 1962 she married Harold J. Andersen at the Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. Along with her two sons, Winnifred welcomed Harolds three children Larry, Curtis and Janelle into their home. Winnifred was baptized on November 21, 1962 and confirmed on November 25, 1962 at the Exira Lutheran Church. Winnifred helped Harold operate the family farm north of Exira. Harold died December 17, 1992. Winnifred lived on the farm for a short time then moved into Exira in 1994. Winnifred shared her home with her sister Kathleeen Embree for many years until Kathleen moved to a care facility in Tabor, IA. Winnifred lived in her home until she moved to the Exira Care Center on June 25, 2009.
Winnifred was an active member of Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. She served as a Sunday school teacher and a Bible school teacher. She served on the church council and the Womens Circle and enjoyed quilting with the church women. She helped work on the Exira 125th anniversary book and the Davids Creek Dam Organization.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husbands Charles and Harold; were her grandson Brent Jenkins, her parents; three brothers and six sisters, and her daughterin-law: Judy Andersen.
Survivors include her children: Larry and wife Ruth Jenkins of Greeley, CO; John and wife Joyce Jenkins, and Curtis Andersen all of Exira, IA; Larry and wife Shirley Andersen of St. Joseph, MO; Janelle Andersen of Omaha, NE, her grandchildren: Lori and husband Tony Murante, Kimberly and husband Mike Carter, Kristen and husband Mike Demman, all of Omaha, NE; Charles and wife Kristin Jenkins of Shawnee, KS; Jennifer and husband Tim Vogel of Palmdale, CA; Brandon and wife Maggie Jenkins of Covington, KY; Amy and husband Mick Adkins, Lara and husband Doug Gilpin all of St. Joseph, MO; Alesia and husband Tim Karcher of Harker Heights, TX; 22 great-grandchildren, her sisters: Jean Travis of Thurman, IA and Phyllis Kuhl of Pacific Junction, IA, special niece Beulah Heidvogel of Oklahoma City, OK; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

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

Visitation:
The family will meet with friends on Thursday afternoon at 5:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kathy Wicks on Friday, July 17, 2009, at 10:00 A.M. at Exira Lutheran Church in Exira, IA.