Elaine Anderson

Elaine Anderson was a committed, encouraging Christian lady. Her faith had an impact on those around her, not only her family, but others as well. She led many to Christ with her upbeat, joyous personality and example of Christian love. She was a faithful wife, loving mother, and devoted grandmother.

Born on August 27, 1929 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Ebbe and Vendla (Magnuson) Skytte, Elaine was the second of four daughters. Ebbe and Vendla worked hard to raise their children, Ebbe working as a furniture salesman while Vendla stayed home to care for the children and run the household. Elaine grew up during the Great Depression and World War II years. These years were instrumental in forming the work ethic and patriotism of Elaine’s generation. Elaine played with her friends and sisters and attended Robinsdale Public Schools. She became involved in drama, even having the honor of the lead part in the high school production of “The Fighting Littles”.

After graduating from high school in 1947, Elaine went on to enroll in a Teacher’s College. She found a job at the age of twenty, teaching in a third grade classroom. With her encouraging and cheerful personality, Elaine excelled in teaching. She used to say, “I can’t believe I can have this much fun and get paid for it too!” Of course the students responded to her loving manner. Later, Elaine taught in a Christian grammar school in Norfolk, VA that developed into a system of schools.

Elaine’s students were not the only ones to notice her sweet nature. Through mutual friends, Elaine met a handsome young man named John Anderson. He too was impressed with her sweet and affirming nature, along with her strong Christian values. After their first date at a steak fry with two other couples the attraction was definitely mutual. The two fell in love and made their love official on March 17, 1951 exchanging their vows at the First Covenant Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

After John finished his degree at the University of Minnesota, he had the honor of serving as a United States Navel Officer for three years on active duty. During their married years John and Elaine moved quite a bit, first due to the Navy and then later on because of various jobs. These moves took them to Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, Toledo and Vermont. Over the years Elaine and John brought five beautiful children into the world: Elise, Daniel, Todd, David, and Steven.

While John worked to support the family, Elaine stayed home to care for the children. Just as with teaching, Elaine relished being a homemaker. She loved trying new things with her home, decorating, hosting, and interacting with many types of people. Elaine also introduced her children to her Swedish heritage with Swedish cuisine and month long Swedish Christmas’. (The tradition of Saturday Swedish pancakes continues today).

In their spare time, Elaine and John packed up the kids and headed out to the lake where they had a family cottage. The family cherished the time spent together, relaxing and enjoying each others company. The children still have fond memories of all the fun times they experienced there. Later when the family moved to Toledo, Ohio, Elaine had the chance to become involved in the local opera, symphony, and garden club.

Everything that Elaine was involved in had a deeper meaning to it. Always in the back of her mind was the thought of her Christian beliefs, her relationship with Jesus. Elaine’s main focus in life was to live her life in such a way that others would be drawn to Christ.

Not only was Elaine instrumental in guiding her own children spiritually, she also taught Sunday School, starting at the age of fourteen. She used her teaching ability in Junior Church, teaching the lessons with the aid of a puppet. She also started a Bible study group in the Chicago suburb of Golf. This study/discussion group touched many lives and is even now, thirty plus years later, still in existence!

When Elaine became a grandmother, she attended to this new role with all the love and affirmation that she attended to everything else in life. She was close to all of her twenty grandchildren, giving them love and attention and keeping apprised of all their activities. Each one was treated to a special week long stay with grandma, at the age of eleven. It is a memory they still treasure to this day.

In 1992, Elaine and John started to split their time between Minnesota and Alabama, where their only daughter, Elise lives. As Elaine began to experience health issues that limited her mobility, she and John moved to Grand Rapids for their retirement in 1999. Here they were closer to their three sons and other family members.

Elaine was strong woman of faith, whose life was dedicated to leading others to Christ. While she worked hard to maintain her home and raise her children, she knew that there was a deeper meaning in everything she did. Her love and care for others, especially her family will be the legacy she leaves behind. She touched many people in her long and fruitful life.

Elaine S. Anderson, aged 79, of Grand Rapids passed away on January 18, 2009. She has left her “earthly tabernacle” and is now fully alive with Jesus, who as she would say is: “My best friend”. She leaves behind a legacy of dynamic faith and friendship. Elaine is survived by her husband of 57 years, John H. Anderson; sons, Steven, David, Todd, Daniel; and daughter, Elise Rhodes – and their loving spouses; 20 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters, Marilyn Lundgren, Joanne Taylor and Carol Holm; and many nieces and nephews.The funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 1933 Tremont ST. NW. Friends may meet the family from 3-5 and 7-9 PM on Wednesday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Memorial contributions to First Evangelical Covenant Church or Mel Trotter Ministries would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to Elaine’s archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook if you are unable to attend.