Donna Jean (Lande) Anderson was born on September 14, 1926 in the heartland of our country. Her mother, Sarah (Siri) Ingaborg Hall came to the United States from Sweden as a young child. Her father, John Herman Lande was of Norwegian descent.
Donna began her collegiate education at the University of Minnesota where she met her future husband, George William Anderson (the son of a Lutheran minister). Her family then moved to California where Donna completed her Bachelors degree at San Diego State University where Donna was a cheerleader and crowned Homecoming Queen.
Bill couldn’t forget about Donna and made several long road trips to California to woo her. Each trip ended in a marriage proposal to which Donna responded that she would “think about it”. Finally, in 1951, Bill made one last trip. When Bill warned Donna that this would be the last trip he would make, Donna finally said yes and they were married on January 30, 1951.
After the wedding Bill and Donna returned to Minnesota to start a family and build a life together. In 1957 they relocated to Fort Lauderdale which remained Donna’s home for the remainder of her lifetime. Bill was diagnosed with cancer in 1976. He valiantly fought the disease with Donna by his side every step of the way. Donna lost her beloved Bill in 1980 but never dated again. Donna remained the faithful wife to her death.
Donna was survived by three children (Leila Diane Anderson, Andrea Jean Spottswood, and John Hall Anderson), one sister (Leila Joanne Champ), six grandchildren (William Blackburn Spottswood Jr, Lande Alexandra Spottswood, Ande Hall Anderson, Charles Christmann Spottswood, Duffey Leann Anderson and William George Anderson) and one great-grandchild (Charles Christmann Spottswood Jr). A fourth child (William Lande Anderson) passed away in 1984 from melanoma.
Our mother was a beautiful woman who always carried herself with class and style. We will always remember her lovely face and dark almond eyes, dressed in classic clothes that made her look like “a million dollars”. Our father was always so proud of her!
She was a sentimental woman who always kept all of the cards we sent her secretly stashed away as cherished keepsakes. Our mother was staunchly loyal to her family and would have defended any of us to her death.
Our mother was also a paradox. Like the picture of Gemini, one side was very gentle and loving but the other side was very fierce and combative. We knew our mother was not perfect…none of us are. But we always knew our mother loved each of us deeply.
She passed away in her sleep on June 7, 2012.
We will sorely miss you, Mom.
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