Obituary

ROCKFORD - Joanne Betty Anderson, 90, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2022. She was born August 16, 1931 to Joel and Myrtle Melander in Omaha, Nebraska. She moved to Rockford, IL in 1944 at the age of 13 and graduated from West High School in 1949. Joanne married Myron (Mike) H. Anderson on December 22, 1951.

Joanne was a homemaker and also worked at Rockford Industrial Welding Supply. She was a life-long member of First Covenant Church. She loved welcoming family and friends in her home, providing good food and warm hospitality. Her grandchildren remember ice cream always at hand! Joanne was a kind, funny, faithful wife, mom, grandma, and friend who will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Mike; children, Sue (Dale) Williams, Steven (Peggy Jo) Anderson, Mark (Nancy) Anderson & Mary (Tom) Thelen; grandchildren, Chad (Cara) Williams, Kari (Mike) Landman, Brooke (Rob) Labak, Dane (Julia) Anderson, Dirk (Kelsi) Anderson, Deanna (David) Nelson, Jon (Mary) Anderson, Joel (Shannon) Anderson, Sara (Mike) Ullmer, Peter (Kara) Anderson & Joanna Anderson; 24 great-grandchildren; “summer grandson” Phillip (Julie) Eaglesham; and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her parents; brothers, Donald (Irene), Robert, Richard (Betty), Charles (Donna) Melander ; and sister, Dorothy (George) Blomgren.

The family would like to thank the staffs of Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center and Serenity Hospice for their attentive care and love. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Fairhaven. Funeral service for Joanne will be held Saturday, February 12, at 10:00 am at First Covenant Church, 306 Wood Road, Rockford.