Genevieve Anderson

Genevieve was born July 20, 1923 in Primrose, Lee County, Iowa, to Ernestine and Benjamin Cook. She and younger sister, Laeticia, grew up on a country property where their father and grandfather raised, bred and raced trotter and pacer race horses. During the Depression, her parents transitioned into cropfarming, while raising various livestock including cattle, sheep, swine, and turkeys. As many who knew Genevieve understand, the influence of her father lasted a lifetime, as he was a self-educated man who exposed her to a broad array of interests and readings. She attended high school in Ft. Madison, Iowa. As a young woman she went to work at the original Sheaffer Pen Company in Ft. Madison. One of the duties she shared with other young women at the company was to write letters to send along with repaired pens that WWII soldiers had sent in for repair. At that time, there was no such thing as a disposable pen. One memory she recalled was of the many drawers full of returned letters and pens of soldiers who had not survived.

Just like a scene from a movie, while walking to and from her work, Genevieve caught the eye of a young ex-GI. He successfully pursued her, and she married her lifelong love Wayne Wilson Anderson in 1949. Similarly, he was devoted to her for the remainder of his life. There was a very difficult test to their starting a family when they lost a day-old infant, Kent. However, a family could not be deterred and Kirk Benjamin, Wayne Robert and Rex Milton were soon born and thus a family of five was formed. After living in and around Burlington, Iowa, for six years, they moved to outside Vandalia, Ohio, for the next five years where they raised horses and sheep. Ohio was a very special place for Genevieve and would hold many special memories for her as she grew older. With a new job opportunity for Wayne, the family moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where they found a home with room for their horses and 3 boys and their dog. After five years the final family move was to Wheaton, Illinois. Throughout most of these years, during Wayne’s busy engineering career, they shared a variety of interests ranging from gardening, furniture refinishing, blackberry picking, antiquing, raising horses, travel and spending time on the farm they purchased in southeast Iowa. Genevieve truly loved these many aspects of family life with Wayne and her boys.

She had a discerning eye and, for a period of time, found painting quite rewarding. Other interests included writings and poetry from past generations, various healthful living interests and family genealogy.

When her boys were off on their own, Genevieve and Wayne lived between, Illinois, Iowa and Arizona. They truly enjoyed their getaway family farm outside Ft. Madison, which remains with the family today.

With the passing of Wayne in 1999, Genevieve settled in Phoenix with her boys and their families always close by. Without our dad, mom always had an empty place in her heart, which we could never fill. The family wants to thank the many care givers for their assistance. We are especially grateful for her long-time friends and our friends and family who helped us guide mom through these many years.

Genevieve is survived by her sister Laeticia Rotter, of Ft. Madison, Iowa, and nephews Ward and Brad Rotter; her sons Kirk (Donna), Wayne Robert (Julie) and Rex (Valerie), all of Phoenix; grandchildren Bonnie, Ben, Arden, Jacob and Quinn; and many nieces and nephews and their extended families.

Genevieve supported many charities over many years. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to Union Presbyterian Church Ft. Madison, Iowa, Salvation Army, American Legion, Habitat for Humanity or to a charity personal to you.

We appreciate everyone’s kind words and thoughts but want to relay that a public service is not planned. What many close friends and family will understand, is that there will be a very small personal remembrance…..with her boys…..back in Iowa…..on a family farm….. in a quiet woods…..under a majestic oak…....to rest with dad. Love you mom - Kirk, Wayne Robert and Rex.

A celebration of the life of Genevieve Anderson will be held at a future date for friends and family. Please contact the family for details and you may share a memory below.