Dorothy Anderson

Dorothy Anderson, a lifelong volunteer and supporter of Ottawa community service organizations, died Thursday, December 06, 2001, at her home in Ottawa. Services for Mrs. Anderson, 76, will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 10, at First Baptist Church in Ottawa, with Dr. Herman W. VanArsdale officiating. Interment will follow the services at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa. Mrs. Anderson dedicated herself to supporting a number of service organizations in Ottawa, the most notable of which was providing administrative support to the Franklin County United Way for 38 years. She was born on June 3, 1925, in Brunswick, Minnesota to Victor and Rena (Johnson) Hanson. She grew up in the Brunswick area and attended the local elementary school. She attended high school in Mora, Minnesota. She married Charles C. Anderson on December 27, 1958, in Minneapolis. In 1961, they moved to Ottawa. In addition to supporting The United Way, Mrs. Anderson served as secretary for the Boys' Club Drive, Memorial Chairperson for the Kaw Valley Heart Association and the American Cancer Society, President of the Kaw Valley American Cancer Society and secretary for the Community Development Program. She sponsored drives to raise funds for cancer victims in the 1970's. In recognition of her community service, she was awarded the Service to Mankind Award by the Ottawa Sertoma Club and the Service Above Self Award by the Ottawa Rotary Club. One of her most rewarding positions was that of secretary at Hawthorne Elementary School for fourteen years. She enjoyed working with the teachers and students at the school. She also worked as receptionist at Franklin Savings Association for several years. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Ottawa. She is survived by her husband, Charles. Other survivors include: three sons, Gunnar Sjolander (Glenda), Lakeville, MN; Curtis Anderson (Katherine), Red Oak, TX; and Jeremy Anderson (Cathleen), Overland Park, KS; two daughters, Renee Goar (Kent), Racine, WI and Dolores Balda (Ed), Topeka, KS; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by three brothers, Ted Hanson, Albin Hanson and Gilbert Hanson; and two sisters, Marion Lawrence and Etta Herbert. Friends may call at the Dengel & Son Mortuary from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, where the family will meet with friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday. Mrs. Anderson's Casket will remain closed. Memorials may be made to the Franklin County Cancer Foundation or Midland Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.