Shirley L. Anderson, age 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 4 at St. Anne’s Extended Care in Winona.
Shirley was born on November 1, 1936, in Rushford, the daughter of Edward and Ellen (Bartelson) Volkman. She was raised on her family farm with her brother and sister and attended school in Rushford, where she met her future husband and love of her life, Richard Anderson. Shirley and Richard were united in marriage on February 26, 1955, at the Rushford Lutheran Church and their union was soon blessed with seven children; together Shirley and Richard shared 60 years of faith and dedication until Richard’s passing in July 2015.
Shirley was a proud and devoted wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma; she cherished her family as well as her faith. She was an active member of Rushford Lutheran Church, serving on the church council as well as president of the Women’s Circle. Shirley was committed to following her entire families’ sports endeavors; she loved to sit in the stands or bleachers at the kids’ events and she was an avid Packers and Twins fan. Shirley had worked for Camera Art and Henry Colbenson Insurance over the years.
Shirley will remain in the hearts of her children Faye (Kerry) Heiden, Kim (Randy) Benson, Steve (Lisa) Anderson, Scott (Laurie) Anderson, Linda (Steven) Lea, Chuck (Wanda) Anderson, and Chad Anderson; 16 grandchildren: Tony (Jess) Heiden, Laura Heiden, Adam (Rebecca) Benson, Lacey (Chris) Drinkall, Kelsey (Adam) Kopperud, Drew (Ashley) Anderson, Dana Anderson, Clay (Haeli) Anderson, Lukas (Kelsy) Anderson, Wade (Lindsey) Anderson, Blake (Brooke) Lea, Audra Lea, Royal (Stephanie) Anderson, Riley (Rachel) Anderson, Ross Anderson, and Ethan Anderson; 24 great-grandchildren: Emma, Kail, Archer and Jora Heiden, Kaia, Kellen, Kennedy and Kamryn Drinkall, Charlotte and Hattie Kopperud, Maycie, Callie and Asher Anderson, Paisli and Ryp Anderson, Mira, Ian and Tye Anderson, Blair Anderson, Karli and Kovi Anderson, Cayden, Cal and Clay Lea and two more on the way; step-sister Donna (Rudy) Boyum, sister-in-law Patricia Volkman, brother-in-law Les Ladewig, as well as nieces, nephews, other extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Richard Anderson; parents Edward and Ellen Volkman, sister Juanita Ladewig, and brother Lennie Volkman.
Special thank you to St. Anne’s, Winona Hospital, GSLH and Jennifer Scheck for their care and kindness this last year.
The funeral service for Shirley will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 8, at the Rushford Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held for two hours prior to the funeral from 9-11 a.m. at church. Interment will be held at the Rushford Lutheran Cemetery.