Betty Anderson

Betty Joan Anderson, age 86 of Cottage Grove, formerly of Shorewood and Waconia, passed away January 23, 2018.

A memorial service will be 3 pm, Saturday, February 10, 2018 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 – 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Cottage Grove Cemetery.

Betty Joan (Bailey) Anderson was born April 9, 1931 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Ora and Hazel (Johnson) Bailey.  She graduated from high school in 1949 and went to Northwestern College in Minneapolis where she studied music, specializing in piano and organ performance.  While at college, she met the love of her life, Leon Anderson and they were married on June 7, 1951 in Minneapolis.  All four of their children were born in Detroit, Michigan. They lived in Denver, Colorado for a few years in the mid 1970’s before moving to Shorewood, Minnesota in 1977.  Betty was an accomplished organist and pianist, teaching many students throughout the years, including her beloved children.  She served as organist and pianist at numerous churches during her career, most recently at First Covenant Church St Paul, as well as accompanying many choirs that Leon directed.  She worked at Alliant Tech Systems in Minneapolis for several years. She enjoyed working on puzzles, knitting, reading and travelling to visit extended family.  Betty loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Betty is survived by her children Timothy (Dan), David (Ruth), Sherri (Arny) Henkel and Kevin (Christy); grandchildren Kristen (Jason) Wassung, Brian, Christopher, Jason, Lilly; great-grandchildren Grayson and Cora Wassung; sister Janice (Bill) McCullough, as well as nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Leon; parents; sister Evelyn Snedaker.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Cottage Grove White Pine Assisted Living and Memory Care for their kind and compassionate care for Betty for the past several years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association are preferred.