Ruth E. Anderson

Anderson, Ruth E. (Scharping), age 88, of Brandon, FL, passed away peacefully with her three daughters by her side on April 8, 2022. Ruth was born on July 17, 1933, in Racine, WI. Ruth graduated from Horlick High School in 1952. She was married to Donald J Anderson of Milwaukee, WI., for 53 years until his passing in 2007.

Ruth and Don moved to Florida in 1957. Ruth was an exceptionally kind dedicated mother of 5 and homemaker, but she also worked as a bookkeeper for 10 years at the former Gardinier, Inc in Riverview, FL and, 6 years for Safety Harbor Development in North Captiva, FL.

Ruth loved life and enjoyed playing piano, sewing, baking, reading, and traveling with her husband, family, and friends.

Ruth was a long-time and active member of the Catholic Church, last attending St Francis of Assisi in Seffner, FL.

Ruth will best be remembered for her generous and kind heart, ready smile, and genuine unwavering love for her family. In her later years, Ruth was an active and involved grandmother. Oftentimes, you could find Ruth hosting large family gatherings, whether at their home on Sanibel Island or Brandon, where she helped create lively and lasting memories for her entire family.

Ruth was also a loving caregiver to her husband, Don, who developed early-onset Alzheimer’s at age 62. Ruth managed Don’s care at their home for 14 years until his passing and then continued to care for others by volunteering with an Alzheimer's Caregivers group in Valrico. Ruth enjoyed a dedicated group of friends she met through the Alzheimer's Care Group who met regularly to enjoy one another's company in the face of losing their loved ones to dementia. Mom's many friends enjoyed playing dominoes each week, and the family would like to extend a special thanks for all the love and laughter they shared.

Ruth is survived by her three daughters Lynn Anderson Reedy of Valrico, FL, Cheryl (Mark) Kilfoile of Parker, CO, and Patty (Jeff) Allen of Houston, TX; four grandchildren Katie (Andrew) Stefani of Centennial, CO, Daniel (Heather) Anderson of Valrico, FL, Elizabeth Allen of Boulder, CO., Andrew Allen of Cardiff, CA.; and great-grandchildren Beckham, Pierson, and Lennox Stefani, and her many well-loved and thoughtful nieces and nephews and the entire extended Bohn family of Racine WI.

Ruth was preceded in death by her always adventurous husband, Don J Anderson, her two dedicated sons, Steve Anderson, Brandon, Fl and David Anderson, Gibsonton, Fl, her sister Violet Scharping, and brother Fred Scharping.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Ruth's memory to Alzheimer's Association or HOPE Hospice of Ft Myers, FL. The family thanks the Hope Hospice team and Arden Courts of Ft Myers team for 2 years of dignified care.

The family will receive friends 10:30 am -11:00 Saturday June 11, 2022, at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Brandon, Fla. Services will follow at 11:00 am

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsboroMemorial.com for the Anderson family.