Andersen, Leota M. (1917 - 2007)

ANDERSEN, TAGUE, HARRIS, HANSEN, ADAMS

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/14/2013 at 12:19:18

Leota Andersen - Age 90

Leota M. Andersen was born on February 7, 1917, to Verner and Tina (Tague) Harris in Harlan, Iowa. She attended school in Harlan, Polk No. 9, and graduated from Kirkman as the valedictorian of her class. During the summers of 1935 and 1936, she played on the Jacksonville girls’ softball team.

On August 18, 1935, Leota was united in marriage to Earl Andersen of Jacksonville, Iowa, at the Methodist Parsonage in Harlan. They lived in Kimballton for a short time before moving all their things by bobsled because of all the snow to a farm near Prairie Rose State Park. It was there that their daughter Peggy was born. The family was living in Poplar, Iowa, at the time of their son Jerry’s birth where Earl was engaged in trucking. In 1942 they moved to the Andersen family farm. The couple bought the Jacksonville grocery store in 1949 and ran it for thirteen years before selling it to their nephew.

Leota and Earl were able to travel to Spain and a side trip to Africa in 1974. The next year she began employment at Pauley Funeral Home In Harlan, and lived above the funeral home until their new house was built in 1978. She greeted everyone at the front door with her warm smile and caring words for over twenty years. It was during this time, she won a new Pontiac car from McDonald’s, which she drove around town with her personal license plate from some of her grandchildren which read "I ONE IT".

After her mother’s death, Leota took over the role of being grandmother and great grandmother, to her nieces and nephews, and they all loved her and have many fond memories they will forever cherish. Her great-grandson Tanner had the honor of sharing the same birthdate, so they had their pictures together many time.

She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and was active in the women’s circle, taught Sunday school and bible school, and supported many Christian organizations including Back to the Bible and Grace University.

Leota loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. They spent most vacations fishing with family members.

She and Earl retired and moved to the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, in November of 2004. It was there that she died on Wednesday, February 14, 2007, having attained the age of ninety years, seven days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Verner Jay and Tina Harris, and two brothers, Gaylord Harris and Bill Harris.

Leota is survived by her husband of seventy-two years, Earl Andersen of Atlantic, Iowa; her daughter Peggy and husband Rollie Hansen of Elk Horn, Iowa; her son Jerry and wife Sharol Andersen of Atlantic, Iowa, seven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, her brother Calvin Harris of Donahue, Iowa, her sister-in-law Arlene Adams of Kirkman, Iowa, nieces, nephews, other family members, and a great number of friends.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, February 17, 2007, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa, with Pastor Henry Flessner officiating the 11:00 AM service. Honorary casket bearers were Keli Hansen, Hollie Mills, and Jennifer Cappel. Serving as casket bearers were Steve Hansen, Wade Mills, David Andersen, Scott Andersen, Doug Cappel, and Marc Andersen.

Source: pauleyjones.com (Pauley Jones Funeral Home)
Posted by permission