Barbara Anderson
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Mrs. Arthur S. Anderson (Barbara “Barb”), 87, of Lambs Grove, Iowa, went to be with her Lord peacefully, with her family at her side, on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2012 at Skiff Medical Center under the care of Skiff Hospice.
Barbara Louise (Thayer) Anderson was the beloved wife of Arthur Swan “Andy” Anderson. They have lived in Lambs Grove since 1956, where they built their home and raised their four sons. Barb and Art were married in Savanna, Ill., at the First United Methodist Church in June 1948. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, her three sons: Bob (Dr. Marcie) Anderson of Omaha, Neb., Jim (Heidi) Anderson of Phoenix, Ariz., John Anderson of Phoenix, Ariz.; her five grandchildren: Amy (Mike) St. Cyr of Omaha, Justin (Claudia) Anderson of Omaha, Jeremy Anderson of Omaha, Tyler Anderson of Phoenix, Alycia Bordlemay of Kingsland, Texas; her five great grandchildren, Caleb St. Cyr, Kyle St. Cyr, Sophia St. Cyr, Sarah Louise St. Cyr, Evyn Hartz. Also surviving are her brother, Henry J. (Jane) Thayer and nephew, David, of Elgin, IL; a nephew, Jackie D. Motlow III of Lynchburg, Tenn.; in-Laws, Jean Wurtzel and Bob (Delores) Anderson of Freeport, Ill., Jim (Pat) Anderson of Davenport, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews and Wandsnider cousins in Wisconsin.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Henry John and Ruth Thayer; her sister, Mary Jayne Motlow; a brother, Keith Thayer; and a son, Tom Anderson.
Barbara was born into a very musical family on March 10, 1925, in Brookfield, Wis. She attended primary school there and then the schools in Milwaukee, Wis., and Wauwatosa, Wis. She moved with her family in 1942 to Savanna, Ill., where she graduated from high school. Barb continued her studies in vocal music at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, graduating in 1948 with a BSM degree. She taught music at the Newton Public Schools until 1952. Barb continued her love for music and vocal studies. She directed church choirs in Newton for 45 years and also gave voice lessons to many outstanding students during these years. Barb was a soloist on many occasions and performed in many community theater productions as lead and also in the chorus. The first musical at the theatre was “Kiss Me Kate” and Barbara was Kate. She was also a member of the Heritage Singers, Song Stylists, In Persons and the Des Moines, Choral Society and most recently directing and singing in the Northwoods in Marcell, Minn.
Barbara co-owned and managed the Bridal Sweet with Lois Egenes in the 1980’s. After retirement, Art and Barb would spend their summers in Marcell, Minn. Barb was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ and directed the choirs for 30 years and was also a member of the women’s circle study group. Barb was an active 50+ year member of PEO Chapter AO. She also was a member of Theta Chi and Chapter Gulielma Zollinger of Questers and formerly a charter member of Serendippers. She was an avid reader and enjoyed watching sports, playing golf, fishing and playing bridge. She was a Chicago Cubs fan due to her husband’s love for the team and attending a Cub’s game at Wrigley Field on her honeymoon. She loved her flowers, traveling to New York on fine arts tours and Thymes Remembered Tea Room for birthday celebrations with good friends.
Barbara will always be known as a singer of songs, but her number one priority was to her family as a devoted and loving wife and mother.
A celebration of life will be held at the Congregational United Church of Christ at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. A lunch and time of visitation will follow. Memorials may be designated to the Newton Community Education Foundation (Vocal Music Program) or the Congregational United Church of Christ and may be left at the church or at Pence-Reese Funeral Home.
