Mary Anne Anderson, age 84, of Red Oak, Iowa, passed away Friday, November 12, 2021, at her home near Red Oak, Iowa. Mary Anne was born March 5, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Dr. William S. and Josephine M. (Richards) Edmund. She was raised in Red Oak, Iowa, graduating from Red Oak High School in 1954. She was involved in National Honor Society, Marching Band, Orchestra, Concert Band, Y-Teens, and International Order of Rainbow for Girls, as a local and state officer. Mary Anne continued her education at the University of Iowa graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in the summer of 1958. Mary Anne was involved in Scottish Highlander Bagpipe and Drum Corps and was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She started her nursing career at University of Iowa Hospital in the main operating room. She then worked at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska as an operating room nurse until the time of her marriage to Gerald E. Anderson on February 19, 1961 in Red Oak, Iowa. Their daughter, Anne Margaret was born in 1966 and son, Gordon Edmund was born in 1971. They made their home at The Flying A Ranch in Red Oak, Iowa and in Nebraska on the Anderson family ranches. Some would say, Mary Anne was a professional volunteer in her civic duties and club involvement throughout the years. Her history with AK-SAR-BEN dates back to 1956 when she was Countess from Red Oak, Iowa. She was a member of Friendship Circle and presently serves as Area Ambassador. She also served as Parliamentarian in 1988. She has served on many boards including the Montgomery County Republican Women serving in many capacities, the Friends of the Red Oak Public Library where she served as President, the Mental Health and Development Disabilities Commission of the State of Iowa serving two terms, Waubonsie Mental Health Center serving from 1985-1996, charter member of Montgomery County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary serving also as a buyer for the Lemon Tree Gift Shop, the Red Cross Blood Bank since 1961, P.E.O. since 1961 and is a Past President, Order of Eastern Star and Rainbow, and Montgomery County Historical Society where she was instrumental in the Nims Barn relocation to the History Center, and was very involved in bringing the People's Art Exhibit to fruition. Mary Anne was truly a pillar of our community.

Preceding her in death were her parents and husband, Gerald E. Anderson on October 14, 2016. Survivors include her daughter, Anne Anderson Bennett of Red Oak, Iowa, son, Gordon E. Anderson of Carr, Colorado; granddaughters, Margaret Bennett of Bloomington, Minnesota and Leatha Bennett and fiancé Cody Parker of Emerson, Iowa, and other relatives and many friends.

A celebration of life service will be held 2 PM Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Immediately following the service there will be a time of continued celebration and visitation with the family at Mary Anne's home in rural Red Oak, Iowa. Interment will be held 3 PM Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Thedford, Nebraska. A memorial fund is being established in Mary Anne' name.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.