Shirley Anderson

Shirley Mae Anderson, 86, of Pelican Rapids, MN and Pearce, AZ died peacefully in her home on Lake Olaf surrounded by loved ones on September 9, 2016.Shirley leaves behind 5 children: Cynthia Anderson (Peter Konsterlie), Denise (Art) Eggman, Keneth (Linda) Anderson, Elliott (Chris) Anderson and Stephanie (Tim) Cronin; 9 grandchildren: Ronald, Cassandra, Zoe, Rachel, Quinn, Jadyn, Heather, Tommy and Robin; great-grandchildren: Noah and Summer; brothers: Kenneth Swanson, Dennis (Vera) Swanson, Marvin (Sherry) Swanson, Orville (Anne) Swanson; sisters: Dianne Berg, and Barbara (Jack) Leeman; as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Duane Winslow Anderson; granddaughter, Noelle Marie Anderson; sister LaVerne Govednik; and brothers-in-law Martin Govednik and Ronald Berg.Shirley was born in Rush City, Minnesota to Clarence and Helen Swanson on June 8, 1930. She grew up on a dairy farm in Big Lake, Minnesota where she was crowned "queen" in high school. She attended St. Cloud State Teachers College and then taught elementary school in Anoka and Barnesville, Minnesota. Shirley was an adventurer, traveling to Europe with her friend Norma in 1953 on the Queen Mary, and returning on the Queen Elizabeth three months later. In 1956, she moved to Alaska with Norma and waitressed at the Highland Fling in Anchorage, before Alaska was even a state! Upon returning to the lower 48, she worked as a "stewardess" for Trans Texas Airlines, and eventually returned to her career in teaching. When Shirley finally settled down with the love of her life, Duane, she continued teaching in a pre-school setting where she was affectionately known as "Mrs. Shirley", all the while raising five children in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Us children are very proud of the way we were raisedcamping being integral part of keeping us all close to one another.In 1990, after retiring, Shirley and Duane moved to their idyll home on Lake Olaf in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. There they developed a lifestyle that suited their desires: entertaining, gardening, canning, cooking, maple-syruping, quilting, walking, golfing and simply enjoying their entire family. Shirley took on volunteer work at the food shelf and Pass-it-On, and was a member of the Community Service Club. In 1995 they bought a second home in Pearce/Sunsites, Arizona after the Minnesota winters proved too tough. There they got into hiking and Texas Hold'em where Shirley shined like a pro. Shirley will be dearly missed by all. As Duane put it years ago, "If somebody doesn't like Shirley, something is wrong with them!"A memorial service will be held at 11am on Monday, October 17th, 2016 at North Immanuel Lutheran Church where Shirley was a member. Luncheon to follow at the church. Everyone welcome to join the family as we continue celebrating her life at the home on Lake Olaf.There is an additional gathering in Sunsites, Arizona at 11am on October 2nd with a tribute and potluck at VFW Post 9977, where we will be honoring her name with the "First Annual Shirley Mae Anderson Memorial Poker Tournament" beginning at 1pm. Half the proceeds will go to our local hospice. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Noelle Marie Anderson Memorial Scholarship Fund; North Immanuel Lutheran Church; Lakeland Hospice/Pelican Rapids or the Charles WM Leighton Jr. Hospice/Willcox, AZ. Funeral Home:Larson Funeral Home304 3rd Street S.E.Pelican Rapids, MNUS 56572