Anderson, Irene Dorothea

Irene Dorothea Anderson went to be with the Lord and join her dearly-loved husband, Don, on Saturday, July 20, 2013, at the age of 97. She was a seven-year resident of Rock Ridge Care Center in Shellsburg. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, July 27, at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. Sixth St.) in Vinton, with Pastor Zach Zajicek of First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Irene was born Dec. 13, 1915, to Charles Edward and Julia (Peterson) Jones in Verona, Neb. She was united in marriage to Donald A. Anderson on March 28, 1937, in Columbus, Neb. Moving to Vinton, Iowa, in 1947, Don and Irene operated the Coast-to-Coast Hardware store for over 25 years. She was also deeply involved in First Baptist Church, where she served as organist for 50 years.

She liked to play golf and enjoyed participating in the Christian Women's club as well as the First Baptist's Ladies' Prayer Group. Spreading joy wherever she went, our dear mother made many lifelong friends. With a sense of humor and love for others, she was beautiful inside and out. No wonder “her family arise and call her blessed.”

Irene was the adored mother of three children, Judy (Leigh) Bennett of Eagan, Minn., Jan (Ron) Simons of Fridley, Minn., and Jim (Patty) Anderson of Cedar Rapids. She has seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don in 2008; and her brother, C. Vincent Jones.

Her family wishes to thank the caring staff at Rock Ridge Residential Care Center and of St. Luke's Hospice for their support and ongoing kindnesses during this time.

Published July 25, 2013 in The Gazette