Carla Anderson

She is survived by her four daughters Jerilyn (Leslie) Hahn, Debra (Steve Bourque) Anderson, Rosie (John) Anderson-Harper and Stephanie (Ron) Stegall, ten grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, one sister Dollie Wagner, and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Wayne, her brother Jerry, and her sisters Patricia, Natalie, and Jacqueline.

Carla was born in 1930 to Ruth Isaacson Erickson and Carl Erickson in North Dakota. As a child she remembers milking the cows and feeding the chickens in their small rural town. She excelled in school, actively participating in basketball, theater, 4-H, and the school newspaper. She attended Jamestown College where she continued her broad scope of activities and graduated with a degree in English. It was there that she fell in love with her lifelong partner, Wayne Anderson, and they were married in December of 1952.

Carla’s measure of success was “to love well and work well, to use one’s talents to their fullest.”

She succeeded in every aspect. She loved her family and was loved by them. Carla and Wayne’s 68-year marriage was full of love, adventure, and shared interests. They had four daughters – Jerilyn, Debra, Rosie, and Stephanie, who remember her as loving but firm. There were daily chores, but also nightly dinners to discuss our days. She attended sporting events, band concerts, and theater productions, always the proud mother. And when her daughters had children, she took an active part in their lives, helping with their care, and attending their activities. She had a big heart for family.

Carla also loved learning and loved her work. She earned a Master of Arts in English from the University of Delaware in 1964. As her children got older, she went back to school and earned her Ph.D. in Psychology in 1978 from the University of Missouri. She became a licensed psychologist and practiced in Columbia for many years, specializing in family and individual counseling. She wanted to help others be their best selves.

Carla and Wayne both loved to travel. They believed that “Life is an adventure waiting to be discovered.” Early in their marriage, summer vacations with the family became an annual event taking them the across the United States to national and state parks, big cities, small towns, and numerous adventures. Starting in 1972 they traveled frequently to Europe often staying for 6 months to a year at a time. This interest led to trips to Africa, China, Australia, Russia, and South America. Many of their travels were combined with learning through the Road Scholar program. They also traveled for live theater and storytelling. And, many of their travel adventures were chronicled in a weekly newspaper column, Venture Bound.

Carla loved to use her talents and to entertain others. She wrote and presented programs individually and with Wayne to groups including Fortnightly, Unitarian Universalist Forum, OSHER lifelong learning, and school classes. She often included humor in what she presented, believing that laughter is the best medicine. She and Wayne both loved to cook and often hosted or attended dinner parties. Everyone felt welcome in her home. In addition to dinner groups, Carla enjoyed bridge, reading, and discussing investments with her friends.

Carla will be remembered for her enthusiasm for life, her warm, caring smile, and her desire to help others.

Carla suffered from Alzheimer’s disease the last few years of her life, and her family would like to thank her compassionate caregivers Sonya, Zearia, and Shahaira of House of Caregivers for their wonderful care.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for 10 am, Saturday, October 4th at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd, Columbia, MO. Donations may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia MO or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be made at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/missouri/columbia.