Anderson, Alma "Amme" E. (Dannen) 1928 - 2018

ANDERSON, DANNEN, FREESE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:41

Alma (Amme) E. Anderson (aged 89) died on September 1, 2018 at Fairhaven Skilled Nursing Care (Whitewater, WI).

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah with Pastor Amy Larson officiating.

Visitation will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, one and a half hours before the service, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Inurnment will be in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah.

Amme Anderson was born on December 21, 1928 in rural Chippewa County Minnesota, the last of eight children of Danne and Tillie (Freese) Dannen. Her parents owned several farms and she attended country school until she moved into Clara City, MN with her mother, after the death of her father (when she was seven).

She graduated from Clara City High School in 1947 and became a Registered Nurse, graduating with highest honors from St. Barnabas Nursing School in Minneapolis in 1950.

She met Roger Anderson (a Clara City High School teacher) during the summer of 1949 and they were wed on November 22, 1950. Two sons were born to this union: Kevin (a recently retired Superintendent of the Elmwood Park, IL K-12 district) and Marshall (a professor of Theatre/Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).

Amme worked full-time as an RN until the birth of Kevin; afterwards she was a homemaker and volunteer nurse. After living in Clara City and Willmar, MN, the family moved in 1958 to Decorah, where Roger became a professor of education at Luther. In 2013, Roger and Amme moved to Whitewater, WI to be closer to family.

Throughout her time in Decorah, Amme was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, including being active with the Altar Guild, Miriam Circle, and the Senior Choir. She was also active with the Decorah Community Concert Association, the Winneshiek County Nurses Association, the Luther College Woman’s Club, and the West Side Study Club. In addition, she enjoyed traveling with Roger, especially on trips to visit family or for the Iowa Retired School Personnel Association. She also helped Roger as he directed Phi Delta Kappa travel seminars to the British Isles and the Canadian Maritime Provinces.

Roger presented dramatic reviews for over 14 books for a group in Fairfield Bay, AR – many of which were also done for churches, service clubs, and other groups throughout the Midwest. Oftentimes, Amme was seen helping Roger in these costumed presentations, whether it be as Elizabeth Koren, Eleanor Roosevelt, or Sacagawea!

Throughout her life, Amme was known for her love for and complete dedication to her family; for her love of Luther College and its music groups, attending hundreds of recitals and concerts there; for her love of gardening and her hybrid tea roses; for being a gracious hostess, decorating for all of the holidays and baking the most wonderful treats; and for her gentle voice, helping hand, and loving smile. She will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.

Amme is survived by: sons Dr. Kevin (Dr. Cindy) Anderson (Woodstock, IL) and Marshall Anderson (Whitewater, WI); grandchildren Mark (Tanya) Anderson (Middleton, WI) and Lindsey (Charles Ihediwa) Anderson (South Milwaukee, WI); and great-grandchildren Lily and Sam Anderson (Middleton, WI); as well as many nieces and nephews.

Amme was preceded in death by her husband Roger (Dec. 26, 2017), her parents, four sisters (and their husbands) and three brothers (and their wives).

Memorials may be made to the Dr. Roger W. and Amme E. Anderson Endowed Scholarship at Luther College, c/o Development Office, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, for teacher education and music students.

Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database

Phelps Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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