Mary M. Anderson

      Mary was born July 8, 1937, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Bernice (Brown) Peterson. She attended country school in Lyon County, IA. She then graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1956.

     Mary was united in marriage to John Anderson in Luverne, MN on June 8, 1956. They lived on the Anderson family farm for a short time and moved to Sibley, IA. Mary went back to school and obtained her nursing certificate. They moved back to Rock Rapids and Mary began working at Restmore Nursing Home, until she became ill with tuberculosis. She spent a year hospitalized while recovering. She then began working at Super Value Grocery and remained there until it was sold many years later. She kept the books for John’s Plumbing & Heating and did various other jobs such as Casey’s Pizza and Hope Haven. She also cleaned for Alta Stoebner for many years. Mary and John enjoyed square dancing and were involved with the square daning club.  Mary always had to be busy baking, cleaning, crocheting, knitting, sewing and helping others whenever she could. Mary also enjoyed collecting things like Precious Moments, Beanie Babies, Boyds Bears, chickens, and many other items.

     Mary was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, active with the funeral committees, Lion’s Quarterback Club & Luncheons and circle.

     She loved her family deeply and was robbed of that when Alzheimers struck. She then lived at Lyon Manor, Keelson Harbor before entering Rock Rapids Health Centre, where she passed away this past Sunday, November 7, 2021.

     She is survived by her children, Rhonda (Lyle) Olson of Steen, MN, Tamara (Mark) Dillingham of Spirit Lake, IA; eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Stacy) Olson and their children, Ashley (Eric) Tieszen, Jakob, Rylee and Carly, Erika (Brad) Thedens and their children, Clay, Zack and Zoe, Hailey Olson, Heather Anderson and her children, Devin and Ryan, Meghan (Dave) Sierck and their children, Dawson and Gabrielle, Rachel Anderson, Landon Dillingham and Dylan (Danika) Anderson;  one great-great granddaughter Oaklee Tieszen; brother, Marvin Peterson of Rock Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Lillian Peterson of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Bernice Peterson; her husband of 60 years, John Anderson; son, Randy Anderson; three sisters, Inez Korthals, Audrey Timmerman and Alice Buss; brothers, Alvin and Lee Peterson; other extended family.