Obituary of Dorothy Anderson

Dorothy Elizabeth Anderson Services will be held in Santa Cruz on May 29 for Dorothy E. Anderson who passed away peacefully on May 13, 2011 at the age of 93. Born Dorothy Mund in Ramsey County, Minnesota, she was the eldest daughter in a family of 11 children. She moved to California when she was in her twenties, and there she met and married Marvin Anderson. Dorothy was a long time resident of Whittier, California where, in addition to being a loving wife and mother of two girls, she started working in the Escrow Dept. of American Savings and Loan Assn. in 1962. When she retired from American Saving in 1982, she was the (first woman!) Vice President of Escrow Services for the Southern California Region. The Lutheran church was also an important part of Dorothy's life. She was a faithful member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Whittier, where she belonged to the Altar Guild and also helped in the church office every week for 20 years after her retirement. Upon moving to Scotts Valley, California Dorothy became a member of Light of Life Lutheran Church, and then St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Santa Cruz. Dorothy moved to Scotts Valley to be near her children in 2001. She loved to read, a gift she passed to both of her daughters. Her family will also fondly remember delightful times spent with Dorothy in her later years, helping her indulge in her fondness for travel by cruising her way around much of the world. Dorothy had a steady perseverance which came from her Midwestern roots; and this, combined with her sharp mind, compassionate heart, subtle wit and sense of humor, created the unique person that she was. She was unfailingly generous with her loved ones, and had a very independent spirit that will be sorely missed. Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Susan Anderson of Ukiah and Christine Madsen, and son-in-law Kent Madsen, of Santa Cruz, California. She is also survived by two sisters, Lucile Agrell of Minnesota and Marge Groff of California, along with many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on May 29 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church (2500 Soquel Ave.) beginning at 3:00 pm. A private burial will take place at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier on June 11, where she will be laid to rest with her husband of 50 years, Marvin, who preceded her in death in 1997. The family requests that in lieu of flowers a donation be sent to St. Stephen's Lutheran Church or a favorite charity. Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. To light a candle for Dorothy and share your thoughts with her family, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com .