Wilma L. Anderson, 99
Wilma Louise Anderson, 99, died on Sept. 15, 2008, at Guardian Angel’s Care Center in Elk River.
She was born to Esty and Grace (Manrose) Ramsey on May 6, 1909 in Ottawa (Franklin County) Kan. As a young child Wilma moved with her family to Illinois, and at age 10, moved by train to Blooming Prairie where she graduated from high school in 1927 and from Mankato Normal School with her teaching degree in 1928. She taught in rural, one room schools in the Blooming Prairie School District for 11 years. She married Alvin Clifford Anderson on June 24, 1939 at First Lutheran parsonage in Blooming Prairie, and they resided in Austin. Wilma worked in the Whittier and Shaw school cafeterias for 18 years. In 2003 she moved from her home of 64 years to a senior apartment in Anoka, and in March 2006, to Guardian Angel’s Center in Elk River. The most important part of Wilma’s life was spending time with her family, but she also was very active in all phases of her life at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. She loved to bake cookies, garden, read, sew, quilt, play cards and take her many annual fishing trips to Leech Lake with Alvin and family. Wilma’s genuine and heart-warming smile and her kind and gentle nature will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Wilma is survived by two daughters, Arlene (Michael) Kelly, Coon Rapids; Marion (Tom) Neisen, Hutchinson; grandchildren, Kerri (Richard) Kindsvater, Kristen (Corey) Ireland, Bill (Kayla) Neisen and Bryan (Amy) Neisen; great-grandchildren, Ethan Kindsvater, Carter Neisen and Colton Neisen; step-grandson, Dustin Henke; sisters-in-law, Marcella Ramsey, Blooming Prairie and Buna Ramsey, Big Stone Gap, Va.; nieces and nephews.
Preceding Wilma in death were her husband, Alvin Clifford Anderson on July 20, 1983; her parents, Esty and Grace Ramsey; sister, Irene (Joseph) Lynard; brothers, Robert (Gladys) Ramsey, Clyde Ramsey and Gilbert Ramsey; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Myron and Alvina Anderson
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with Pastor Ron Barnett officiating. Visitation is from 4 – 7 p.m., Thursday at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin and at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Casket bearers will be William Neisen, Bryan Neisen, Richard Kindsvater, Corey Ireland, Ronald Ramsey, Dale Ramsey and Duane Mortenson.