Anderson, Erika Herren

Erika Herren Anderson

Waukee, Iowa

Erika Herren Anderson, 37, passed away Nov. 3, 2009, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. A Celebration of Life service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy., West Des Moines, Iowa.

Erika's kind spirit and positive energy touched the lives of her many family and friends. She was a shining star to all around her and she will be greatly missed.

Erika had an appreciation for education and learning. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1994, with a degree in journalism and public relations, received her master's in public administration from Drake University in 1997 and graduated from Drake Law School in 2004.

Erika pursued her education as a means to help others. She was the managing partner in her Anderson Legislative Consulting business which provided lobbying and advocacy at the Iowa State House for very special groups, including March of Dimes, Iowa Psychiatric Society, Iowa Coalition against Sexual Assault and Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Forrest Ericson and Lois Anderson.

Survivors include her husband, Todd Herren; children, Ryan Anderson Herren and Brynn Anderson Herren; parents, Tim and Pam Anderson of Eden Prairie, Minn.; sister, Sonja Anderson (Sean Corcoran) of St. Louis Park, Minn.; grandma, Marlys Ericson of Bemidji, Minn.; aunt and uncle, Pat and Lyman Brink of Bemidji, Minn.; cousins, Steve Brink, Andy Brink and Bob Brink of Chaska, Minn.; paternal grandpa, Earl Anderson of Baudette, Minn.; aunts, Marla Jenson of Moorhead, Minn., and Debbie (Bob) Anderson of Baudette, Minn.; and cousins, Kirk, Kerri, Maika, Dustin and Eric of Baudette, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Erika to the Iowa March of Dimes, Iowa Chapter, 425 Second St. SE, Suite 605, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, where Erika served as a volunteer board member.