H. Averil (Sargent) ANDERSON

SARGENT, SARGEANT, ANDERSON, HEIGHTON, BJORKMAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/2/2016 at 17:03:46

August 30, 1917 ---- April 13, 2008

Averil (Sargeant) Anderson, the daughter of Lawrence and Jennie (Anderson) Sargeant, was born August 30, 1917, on the family farm north of Estherville, Iowa. She passed away, Sunday, April 13, 2008, at Winchester Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Winchester, Kentucky, at the age of 90. She received her education and graduated from Emmet Consolidated School. After her graduation from high school she attended NBT Business School in Sioux City, Iowa.

On May 4, 1939 [in Renwick, Iowa], Averil was united in marriage to August C. Anderson. Following their marriage they made their home, raised their family and spent their entire married life on a farm in Ellsworth Township in Emmet County. She was an active farm wife and worked with Augie in the daily operation of the farm until Augie retired in 1970. Then after Augie's retirement she became the secretary for the United Methodist Church for three years and then went to work at Unisys in Jackson, Minnesota, for 10 years, until her retirement at age 67. Following her retirement Averil joined RSVP and took great pleasure in her volunteer experiences. She was also active in the schools and the Emmet County Historical Museum. Averil also mentored three boys at Forest Ridge, visiting them weekly. They participated in cooking sessions, playing games and a favorite activity was viewing slides of the trips that she took throughout the United States and Canada. In her leisure time she enjoyed bowling and participated in an afternoon bowling league. Augie died in 1981.

Averil was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Huntington, Iowa, having served as WSCS Treasurer a great number of years and conducting church school and Sunday School classes. She also had served as a 4H Girl's Leader. Averil was always active in soliciting funds for local charitable fund drives such as the American Cancer Society and others. A highlight in her life was receiving an award from then Govenor Terry Branstad for her efforts in the BABES Program in Emmet County. Even at age 86, Averil was still active in community activities and had lived on the family farm for 64 years.

Left to cherish Averil's memory are her son, Jeffrey Anderson of Winchester, Kentucky; two grandchildren, David Anderson, his wife, Shanna; Nicole Anderson; great-granddaughter, Reagan Elise Anderson; son-in-law, Kevin Heighton of Paris, Kentucky and his sons, Scott and Jason; special nephews, Jon Anderson and his wife, Cindy of Dunnell, Minnesota; Dale Bjorkman of Sioux City, Iowa; and many other nieces and nephews. Preceding Averil in death were her husband; daughter, Jill; her parents; brother, Lavon and his wife, Vera; and sister, Deloris Bjorkman and her husband, Glenn.