Lestelle Anderson

(Genevieve) Lestelle was born into the loving arms of her parents Catherine and Frank Pattison of Eugene, Oregon. Soon after, sisters Colleen and Catherine were born into the family. They lived on an 80-acre farm that is now just east of the University of Oregon's Autzen Stadium. Lestelle learned about agriculture through daily hands-on experience and through her 4H projects. Her grandfather and father grew cherries, walnuts and filberts on the farm, and also raised a few cattle. She often reflected on how protected she was from the effects of the Great Depression's due to the availability of food grown on the farm. Her parents routinely showed hospitality and meals to neighbors and friends. Lestelle recalled the many guests who joined them at their table to eat, day after day. It was her parent's method of providing assistance. To Lestelle, it simply seemed like a lot of laughter and conversations with neighbors.

Mom was an excellent student who became a life-long learner. She was curious about almost every subject. She graduated from Eugene High School a year early and enrolled at the University of Oregon. After two years, she moved to Oregon State University where she earned a degree in Home Economics with a focus on Nutrition Science. She was accepted into a prestigious graduate program but chose married life instead. She self-taught herself about geology, archeology, botany, sociology, theology, history, and political science. She frequented libraries and dove into volunteer opportunities to experience the studies she was curious about.

Volunteering was an important aspect of life for Lestelle. Some of the areas she served include the League of Women Voters, First Baptist Church (multiple ministries), Oregon Zoo tour guide, Japanese Gardens tour guide, Japanese-American Reconciliation Ministry, Oregon Historical Society, California Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, tutor for the Portland Public School District, refugee family host, international student housing host, Washington County Library aid, Loaves and Fishes Organization, and Oregon Food Bank, to name a few. All of these provided opportunities for her to encourage others and to learn their stories. She always had an eye out for the person who needed to be included or who seemed to be lonely. She was known for offering car rides for those who needed them, and welcoming new neighbors and visitors. She delivered flowers, meals, and offered conversations to people she called 'shut-ins' who could not leave their homes on their own. "No one should have to be alone, that does not want to be" she would say.

Lestelle married her high school sweetheart Arnold (Arne) Anderson, also of Eugene, Oregon on Friday September 13th, 1946. He had turned 21 only three days earlier, was freshly home from serving in the US Army Air Copr. They always thought Friday the 13th was a lucky day for them, and they were devoted to one another throughout their lives.

They enjoyed raising four children together: Kare, Stephen, Timothy and Melinda. Arne and Lestelle's family further expanded to include nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. They would often remind their family that they prayed for each one of them every day.

They traveled frequently together when they became empty nesters. Sometimes by camper-trailer and sometimes by plane to many international destinations. They were avid hikers and were undaunted by most climates or terrain. It was clear that they savored the journey as much as the destination. Lestelle could identify almost any flora or fauna that she saw. Arne preceded Lestelle and entered heaven in 2015.

Her surviving children include Karen (Kare) Anderson [and husband, Robert]; Stephen Anderson [and wife, Borgny] whose children include Jonathan, David and Maren; Timothy Anderson [and wife, Pamela] whose children include Scott and Brian; and Melinda Groth [and husband, John] whose children include Josh, Christina, Michael and Daniel.

A private committal service for Lestelle will be held Friday, October 13, 2023 at Willamette National Cemetery, where Lestelle will be laid to rest with her husband, Arne.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.youngsfuneralhome.org for the Anderson family.