Lorraine Anderson passed away at her home in Isanti, MN on Friday, December 9, 2016.
Lorraine Eleanor Westlund was born on March 26, 1925 in Mason, WI to Swan and Ellen Westlund. She was the first of seven daughters. Her family lived on a farm and she attended the Bayfield School. In 1939 the Westlund family packed their belongings in a custom made trailer and moved to Anoka, MN. While living in Anoka, her father worked as a carpenter and the family was active in their local church. Lorraine took a break from school at the end of her junior year to take a job to help her family with their finances. It was during this time that she worked as a nanny for a family in Minneapolis. She also worked at a hosiery factory. Lorraine returned to school and graduated from Anoka High School in 1945. She loved music and enjoyed playing the accordion, Hawaiian guitar and the piano.
On September 16, 1950, Lorraine married Bernard Anderson at the Mission Covenant Church in Anoka. They made their home in Isanti on her husband’s family farm. It was there that they raised a family of seven children. Those were busy days working in the garden, caring for the home and children and working full time. Lorraine worked at Federal Cartridge for 21 years.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Gerald.
Lorraine is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bernard; her children, Juanita (Ron) Hansen, Greg (Kathy) Anderson, Gary (Teresa) Anderson, Betty Anderson, Nancy (Terry) Ziebarth, Alvin (Dawn) Anderson, Wanda (David) Swanson; 14 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; siblings, Viola Putnam, Emily (Ev) Benson, June (Ken) Nordstrom, Edith Blue, Joyce Roselund, Charlotte Dickison; and by many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services 11 a.m. Friday, December 16, 2016 at Oxlip Evangelical Free Church in rural Isanti. Visitation from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, December 15th at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Interment in Long Lake Community Cemetery. Online condolences at StrikeFuneral.com.