Lillian Anderson

Celebration of Life Services for Lillian L. Anderson will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Pastor Murray Jones officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at the Fridhem Lutheran Cemetery at Funk, Nebraska, prior to the services.



Lillian Louise Anderson, 95 years of age, of Grand Island, Nebraska, (formerly of Holdrege, Nebraska) passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society – Grand Island Village in Grand Island, Nebraska. She was born August 11, 1922 at Highland Park, Illinois, the eldest of three children born to Bert H. and Valeria (Hallgren) Raymond. She received her primary education from the Agazzie Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois, and then graduated from Lakeview High School in Chicago, with the class of 1940. Lillian then pursued higher education from the Washburn Trade School in Chicago, where she studied business.

Following her education, Lillian was employed by the Hartford Fire Insurance Company in the Wrigley Building in Chicago for four years. She then relocated to Holdrege, where she met her future husband, Harold E. "Shorty" Anderson. The couple were united in marriage on January 1, 1946 at Phillipsburg, Kansas, and to this union ten children were born: Margaret, Mary, Joe, James, Marty, John, Mardell, Jerry, Marilynn and Jeff. The family made their home in Holdrege, where Lillian devoted her life to caring for her large family's needs. She was very active when the children were young, supporting them in their activities that included: Blue Birds, Campfire, Cub Scouts, and 4-H. When grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren arrived, they became the highlight of her life. On July 1, 2002, she was preceded in death by her husband, Shorty.

Lillian was a member of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, and enjoyed her membership with the Holdrege Volunteer Fireman's Auxiliary, and the DAV Auxiliary.

Besides her parents, and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons: James David Anderson at the age of 11 months, and John Anderson in 2015; granddaughter, Cynthia Marie Anderson who was born at rest; son-in-law, Randy Ritterbush; sister, Barbara Soderholm; and brother, Bert Raymond.


She leaves to celebrate her life; her eight children which include five daughters: Margaret VanZandt of Garnett, Kansas; Mary Glasgow and her husband, Cary of Denison, Texas; Marty McCune and her husband, Don of Hastings, Nebraska; Mardell Ritterbush and her special friend, Rick McClellen of Hershey, Nebraska; and Marilynn Haines and her husband, Randy of Grand Island; three sons: Joe Anderson and his wife, Anita of Bennett, Nebraska; Jerry Anderson of Sioux City, Iowa; and Jeff Anderson and his wife, Jodi of Axtell, Nebraska; 37 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Betty Raymond of Funk, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Art Soderholm of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Memorial book signing will be held on Friday, October 13, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in Lillian's honor, and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.