Edward Anderson
September 18, 1914 ~ August 5, 2010
Edward L. Anderson, 95, died at The Woodlands, Meth-Wick Community, on Thursday, August 5, 2010. He was born September 18, 1914, in his grandparents' home in Clearfield, Iowa, to the late John and Belle Franklin Anderson. He attended Clearfield grade school and graduated from Clearfield High School. He graduated from the University of Iowa with his bachelors and masters degree in political science. Ed taught school at Truesdale and Bayard, Iowa, where he met his wife, Thelma Leonard. On August 2, 1942, they were united in marriage at the Waukee Christian Church in Waukee, Iowa. In 1946, Mr. Anderson accepted a position in the Federal Court of the Northern District of Iowa as a probation officer. He served as chief probation officer until 1975, in both Waterloo and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is honored by the annual officer of the year award that is still given in his name. With the birth of Edward, Jr., a special needs individual, Mr. Anderson became involved with his wife in opening the Play Time Nursery School in their home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It was one of the first in Iowa. He served as president of the Iowa Association of Retarded Citizens and was a board member for many years. He was also active with the local Linn County ARC. He was also a member of Lovely Lane United Methodist Church and the Meth-Wick community church. Ed is survived by his sons, Edward Jr. and John; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including special friends, the Ebinger family. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Thelma; a daughter, Kathryn; and three brothers, Franklin, Ben, and Mark. A memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2010, at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Gail Wilcox. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Ed donated his body to the University of Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous, PO Box 418, Monticello, Iowa 52310. The family extends a sincere thank you to all of the staff at the Meth-Wick Community for their help and support over the years.
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John,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. You have our deepest sympathy.
John and Eddie: Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Uncle Ed was a very special man and will be missed, but we are glad he is now at peace.
Love,
Teresa and family
John,
We were really sad to hear of your Dad’s passing. He was a special person who my family had the privilege to know.
Ed’s humor, memory and compassionate caring challenged and changed my life and the lives of many others.
Both Ed and Thema were such positive influences in my upbringing and my brothers and sisters. I will always think of them fondly and with a smile od appreciation and love. Close neighbors, they both were great friends to my mother while my dad was on the road. Ed led a very productive life, and changed the lives of many for the better. Our sympathies to John and Eddies, friends and family.
Ed was one of the finest people I met in my years as a social worker for the disabled. He had a graciousness, warmth, and sense of humor that instantly put people at ease. What a joy it was to visit with him and to listen to his many stories. I am privileged to have known him.
John & Eddie –
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ed was the epitome of a good neighbor. We so enjoyed talking with him – such wit and intelligence! I can speak for all the Bennings that we are sad to see such a good man pass away.
Mary, Jim and Charlotte Noland
John and Eddie,
Ed was a special man with a great sense of humor. We first met your family at church in 1953 and spent many good times together. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
With our love,
Jim and Jo Potter
As a high school friend of Ed’s daughter, Kathy, I spent lots of time around their family. I absolutely loved Ed and Thelma; intelligent, great senses of humor, remarkable people. John and Eddie – my thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Regards, Susan