Anderson, Akuei 'Shirley' Lee

Akuei “Shirley” Lee Anderson, 60, of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City following a sudden and unexpected illness. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at St. Jude Catholic Church, by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial will take place at a later date. A vigil service will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Teahen Funeral Home, where friends may visit from 3 until 7 p.m. Friends may also visit Friday at the church after 9:30 a.m.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Bill of Cedar Rapids; son, Mark of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughters, Teresa (Jay) Franklin of North Liberty and Tania Anderson of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Jessica Anderson of Sioux Falls, S.D., Isabella Anderson of Cedar Rapids and Austin Franklin and Braden Franklin of North Liberty; three brothers, three sisters, and many nieces and nephews in Taiwan.

Her parents, sister and two brothers preceded Shirley in death.

Shirley was born Jan. 24, 1949, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the daughter of Peter and Mary Lee. She married William H. Anderson on Sept. 4, 1971, in Kaohsiung. Shirley worked as a teachers' aide in Sioux Falls, S.D., and in Cedar Rapids until retirement in 2002.

Her biggest joy was spending time with her grandchildren. She was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, where she was an Eucharistic minister, member of the choir, Thursday night Bible study group, and where she volunteered cleaning and at the Sweet Corn Festival. Shirley also volunteered at Greene Square Park as a cook and server in the meals program. She was a member of the JOY Club. Her pastimes included traveling with her husband and going back to Taiwan to see her family, walking, hiking, and finding a good bargain.

We love her and she will be in our hearts forever.

Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association.

Online condolences may be left for the family at