Dorothy Louise Anderson

Dorothy L. Anderson, second daughter of Carl and Ruby Nikolaison of Blencoe, Iowa, was born on April 22, 1928 and passed away on December 11, 2024 at the age of 96.

Dorothy lived most of her life in Iowa, and lived with her husband in Arizona after retirement, returning to Iowa in 2015. She studied at Iowa State University and Morningside College. While teaching in Lansboro, Iowa, she met her husband of 59 years, Eugene A. Anderson. Together they had three children, Debra (Ewing), deceased, Shari (Bill) Folkerts and Ricky (Marcene) Anderson. While living in Des Moines, Dorothy worked as a clerk for the Iowa Legislature and spent sixteen years at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa, serving as an executive assistant to a Senior Vice President and then the President.

Dorothy loved the Lord and was active in the church. Upon retiring in Sun City West, Arizona, Dorothy was able to spend more time faithfully serving at Desert Palms Presbyterian Church. She served as an elder, secretary of deacons, a Presbytery elder commissioner, a bell choir member and a Stephen Ministry Leader. She cherished family gatherings, was an avid reader, enjoyed golf, playing any kind of cards and especially enjoyed bridge. She was blessed to travel the world with her husband and visited all continents but Antarctica. She lived a full and long life and always felt blessed by God.

Dorothy leaves behind her daughter, Shari and son-in-law Bill; son, Ricky and daughter-in-law Marcene; eight grandchildren, Justin (Danielle) Ewing, Jacob (Michelle) Ewing, Melissa (Zach) Knutson, Mark Ehlers, Kyle, Corey and Dan Folkerts, and Britney (Brandon) Weyant. She was “GG” and “Grandma Doe” to eight great-grandchildren, Trace, Lyla, Crosby, Eve, Brenlyn, Emmeline, Joshua and James; and seven nieces and three nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and daughter, Debra, sister, Joyce; and many other loving family.

A special thank you to the staff at Kennybrook Village and Suncrest Hospice for their love and care for mom, it was incredible.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1025 28th Street in West Des Moines, Iowa. Family will greet guests following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Dorothy Anderson can be directed to the EveryStep Foundation, 3000 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50317 (please include Dorothy Anderson’s name on the check). Donations can also be made at //www.everystep.org/donate and should be designated as a memorial gift in honor of Dorothy Anderson.

Dorothy was deeply loved and will be missed by all. She made a difference.

Print