Edna passed away peacefully Feb. 14, 2013 at the age of 94. She was born Sept. 12, 1918, in Rhame, North Dakota to Clara and Eugene Harris. She and her six brothers and sisters were raised on the family farm. The lessons she learned on the farm would serve her well all her life.
After a year of college she moved to Portland, Oregon where she worked at Montgomery Wards. She then spent nearly three years as a personal secretary to author Elizabeth Lambert Woods in Long Beach Washington, and in Arizona where she traveled on horseback.
When World War II broke out, she enlisted in the army and spent much of the war in Europe assigned to SHAEF (Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force) under the command of General Dwight Eisenhower. Her war experiences include typing the German terms of surrender, missing the plane that crashed with Glen Miller’s band on board, and accidentally spending Christmas Eve at a brothel in France, as it was the only building with a light on.
After the war she married Kermit Aanderud, also a World War II Veteran. They bought a home near Raleigh Hills where she lived for sixty years. They had a son, Stephen and a daughter, Susan. Edna remained a homemaker until her children were in high school, when she was employed as a bookkeeper for Beaverton Auto Parts until her retirement. Edna attended St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Beaverton for over 50 years and was an active volunteer in the church all her life. She and her husband were devout in their faith.
Edna put her family first, and she enjoyed being involved in their lives. Her loved ones remember her for her kindness, intelligence, and giving nature.
Edna cherished her children and seven grandchildren Ben, Zach, Jeanette, Joel, Paul, Matt, and Kristen, and was proud of their accomplishments. She also had fifteen great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
Edna was preceded in death by her husband Kermit, son Stephen, and her six brothers and sisters. A veteran’s memorial service will be Monday, February 25 at 12:00 noon at Willamette National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mound Church and Cemetery Maintenance, 5808 160th Ave. S.W. , Rhame, North Dakota 58651.
Arrangements by Pegg, Paxson, & Springer Chapel in Beaverton, Oregon.
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