Edna M. Anderson, 98, Weldon, IL, passed away at 3:10 PM Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 at Farmer City Rehabilitation and Health Center, Farmer City, IL. Graveside services will be 1:30 PM Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at Weldon Cemetery, Weldon, IL with Rev. C. Don Ferrill officiating. There will be No Visitation. Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, IL, is in charge of arrangements.
She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and aunt. She was born in the mid-west farmlands to Nowell and Grace Miller Moody of Lane, Illinois on January 3, 1914. She was the eldest of four siblings; Dorothy, Evelyn and Henry Moody. She married Alva Edison Anderson of Kempton, IL on Jan. 23, 1932. They had one son, Lester Everett.
Mrs. Anderson resided in DeWitt County all her life. She was an active member of the Weldon Community. She and her mother Grace served as the town’s switchboard operators during the Depression. She was the office manager and receptionist for the town doctor. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, and homemaker, she was the President of the United Methodist Women organization, a 25 year member of the Eastern Star and a 50 year member of the Rebecca Lodge. Mrs. Anderson served on multiple town committees including the Weldon Village Board and Weldon Library Board. She had an active involvement with the American Cancer Society and DeWitt County Emergency Services and Disaster Agency. She was an energetic member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, American Legion Auxiliary, the Button Society, Temperance League and General Federation of Illinois Women’s Clubs. Mrs. Anderson was elected the Illinois Mother of the Year in 1990. In addition to her civic duties, Mrs. Anderson was well known for her excellent cooking, homemaking, master quilting, gardening, hand painting fine china and floral arrangements. Her love for people always kept her active.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her husband, Alva, her son, Lester, her daughter-in-law, Rosella E. Peters Anderson, great-granddaughter, Aubree and grand nephew, Timothy.
She is survived by five granddaughters: Sherry Anderson-Kooker of St. Louis, MO, Vicky (Dale) Smith of Morton, IL, Peggy (Darrel) Huisinga of St. Louis, MO, Edna “Jody” (Charles) Royce of Houston, TX and Darlene Wikoff of Weldon, IL; one niece: Larrianne Jordan of Champaign, IL; one nephew: Claudine Stein. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren, 1 great niece, 2 great nephews and 2 great-great nieces.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Diabetes Assoc.
My condolences to the family of Edna Anderson. I met Edna while working on the Telephone Exhibit at the DeWitt County Museum (Homestead). She donated several pictures and an Operator’s Manual for the Exhibit’s display. I was happy that Edna was able to visit the Museum and see the collectibles she donated.
Ron Ipsen
Thank you. Gram always had an interest in history and she and her mother (Grace Moody) worked several years as swith board operators during the years of the crank telephone. Sherry