Mary Rachel Anderson 1921-2005

ANDERSON FINLEY BIRD

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/6/2009 at 20:18:08

Sioux City Journal
27 February 2005

WHITING, Iowa -- Mary Rachel Anderson, 84, of Whiting died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, where she had made her home for the past year.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Whiting Christian Church, with the Rev. Rusty Hedger officiating. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery, Whiting. Visitation will be 4 to 6 p.m. today at Pearson Funeral Home in Onawa, Iowa.

Mary was born in California Junction, Iowa, on July 26, 1921, the daughter of William Roy and J. Maurine (Finley) Bird. She attended and graduated from the Monona Schools at age 16. When she reached age 18, she began teaching in the rural schools in the area. She was also employed as print shop manager at John Holmes Publishing in Whiting and Security National Bank in Sioux City before retiring.

Mary was united in marriage to Donnie Earl Anderson on Jan. 24, 1942, at South Sioux City. Four children were born to this union. They lived all of their married life on the farm near Whiting until moving to the care center.

She was a member of Whiting Christian Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and Triple "L".

Survivors include her husband, Donnie of Whiting; two sons and their wives, Robert L. and Janet L. Anderson and Larry W. and Bonnie Anderson, all of Omaha, Neb.; two daughters and their husbands, Loretta M. and Ken McCarter of Omaha and Ann L. and George Boekhout of McAllen, Texas; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Omar Wood of Washougal, Wash., and James Wood of Battleground, Wash.; a sister, Joy Grasmick of Omaha; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Harold Bird; and a sister, Juanita Strong.