Anita Sylvia (Hovde) Anderson, currently of Rushford, moved out of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home on January 6, 2018, and went to join her husband, Johnny (John Peter-JP) in heaven. She thought that after 21 years he would have completed all house repairs and have the garden planted. Anita was born June 12, 1918, in Rushford to John Peter and Hazel (Torgerson) Hovde. She graduated from Rushford High School in 1936. After graduation she worked in the Twin Cities but then moved back to Rushford to marry her high school sweetheart Johnny. Anita worked in the home in Rushford, Houston and Spring Valley, Minn., while raising her five children. She then took her talents to retail and worked in Anthony’s and Majors & Roberts in Spring Valley, finally retiring at the age of 80.
Anita was a long time member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley, where she was a member of the choir, circle and a Sunday school teacher. She was actively involved in the community and enjoyed Cosmopolitan Club, Garden Club and Bridge Club, to name a few. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 65 years.
Anita had a joy for living, loved her family and always had the coffee pot on for anyone who stopped to chat. She was famous for her toffee bars, oatmeal cake and maintained that “cat who ate the canary smile” until her passing.
Anita was preceded in death by her husband John Peter (JP), her parents John Peter and Hazel Hovde, brother Les Hovde, brothers and sisters-in law, Earl and Tim Anderson and Marvin and June Anderson; and Fran Becker, her son-in law.
She is survived by her five children: Roger Anderson of Rushford, Sandy Becker of South St. Paul, Peggy Krock of Santa Barbara, Calif., Holly (Matt) Van Zant of Orlando, Fla., and Richard (Laurel Ann) Anderson of Lakeville, Minn.; four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
A celebration of Anita’s life is being planned for June; details will be made available at a later date. The family is planning a small gathering at the Good Shepherd home in the near future for those residents and staff that may not be able to attend the celebration in June.
Memorials are preferred to Good Shepherd Foundation at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Rushford, Minn. 55971.