Laurene Elaine Anders

Laurene Elaine (Brown) Anders was born in the home of the Cawthra’s on May 18, 1935, in Otis, Colorado. Her parents were Augusta Elizabeth (Herzberg) and Cecil Arthur Brown. She was raised in Harrisburg, CO and was the oldest child, along with her two brothers Donald and Monte. They lived in a small, two-bedroom farmhouse with a coal burning stove that heated most of the house. There was no indoor plumbing, running water, or electricity so they used a hand pump in the kitchen for water and kerosene lamps for light.

Laurene enjoyed playing “Annie over,” tag, and red light-green light as a child. She also loved playing the piano, embroidery, and singing. Her favorite childhood movie was National Velvet. As a young woman she would go to the movies, roller skating, or on drives around the country roads on dates. She was also an active member of 4-H where she held many offices and won grand champion at the Colorado State Fair in baking, home furnishings and clothing. During her school years she was close friends with Gwen Lea Larson (Shook) and Mary Jean Remington (Oakes), whose friendships continued throughout her life. Laurene graduated from Washington County High School in 1953. She won a scholarship to Colorado State University which she attended the year after graduation.

Laurene met her soulmate and love of her life, Oscar (who she called Junior) at a 4-H meeting. Her first impression of him was, “Wow! He’s going to be mine!” On dates, they went roller skating or to the movies. On the summer Sunday afternoon of June 20, 1954, Laurene was married to Oscar L. Anders Jr. at the First Presbyterian Church in Akron, Colorado. For their wedding Oscar wore a blue herringbone suit with brown dress shoes and Laurene wore a beautiful wedding gown she designed and sewed herself with a veil made by her mother, Augusta. On their honeymoon they went to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and then traveled to Texas and went across the bridge to Juarez, Mexico.

Their first home was in the old farmhouse of her parents in the country about 25 miles south of Akron. Laurene and Oscar lived there during, what she called, the “dust bowl days.” The winds were relentless, carrying in dirt and making it very challenging to keep the house clean. During that time, they farmed and raised chickens to sell eggs to the local stores. They were far from neighbors and developed a strong inseparable bond. Laurene and Oscar were always there for each other and did almost everything together. As a young wife, Laurene worked at the Washington County Clerk office and drove home every evening unless the weather was too bad. For entertainment, the young couple would play pinochle or pitch with Kenneth and Sylva Neibers. They would take turns hosting and always enjoyed coffee and cake during visits at each other’s homes. When asked what she remembered about being a newlywed Laurene wrote, “We were very happy and we still are! Love conquers everything! We did everything together!”

Laurene went with Oscar as he worked road construction with Blanchard Construction. They lived in a Marlette trailer home and traveled around Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. They pulled the trailer with them as Oscar helped build new roads and lived in places like the top of Rabbit Ears Pass near Steamboat Springs. During the winter, the trailer was pretty cold!

Laurene and Oscar’s love grew as they were blessed with three children: Michael (Barbara) Anders, Linda (Bryan) Penfold, and Carolyn Anders. She was a gentle, caring, and loving mother who was always there for her children in every way possible. She was a devoted mother and homemaker, canning and freezing fresh food and sewing clothing for the family. Laurene made some wonderful choke cherry jelly from berries the kids found on Cliff and Alice Harrington’s ranch. Laurene wrote that some of the things she wanted most for her children were, happiness, self-confidence, a good education, accepting Jesus as their Savior, and finding a job they were happy doing.

When Oscar got a job with Colorado Department of Transportation, the family moved to Fountain, Colorado where she joined Fountain Valley Baptist Church and served her Lord. She also built a strong enduring friendship with Betty Dills and Shirley Harn as she raised and cared for her family. While raising her children, Laurene went to college in Colorado Springs, at Cragmor (University of Colorado) and graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1971. In 1972, Laurene began her career as a first-grade teacher for Fountain Fort Carson School District #8. She enjoyed her job and loved working with the young children in her classroom. Laurene was creative and artistic and spent a lot of her free time designing and creating bulletin boards and thinking of creative ways to educate her students. Laurene retired after teaching first graders for 23 years. Her passion for working with children and young people extended into her church. She sang in the church choir, designed informative and inspiring bulletin boards, taught Sunday School, worked with children in Vacation Bible School, and worked with the youth of the church to teach young children about Jesus in Caraway Street.

Laurene loved the outdoors and going camping and fishing with her family. The family camped at Alder Creek, Saguache Park, Lake DeWesse, and Trinidad State Park. Her favorite family vacation was camping through Canada and visiting Disneyland in California. She also really enjoyed the Holland America cruise that she and Oscar went on in Alaska, even though she was terrified of the water.

Laurne watched her family grow and was blessed with 4 grandchildren: Molly, Benjamin, William, and Emily and 4 great grandchildren, Cameron, Madelynne, Logan, and Maya.

Laurene passed away on September 20, 2025, at The Palisades at Broadmoor Park in Colorado Springs, CO. Laurene fought a brave battle against numerous health issues and recent hip fracture. She is survived by all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Services were held at Dove-Witt Family Mortuary in Fountain, Colorado.

Laurene’s smile and quiet, gentle, loving spirit will be remembered by all who loved and knew her. It’s a love that will not let you go.