Brenda Anderson

Lake Crystal Mortuary 648 South Main Street Lake Crystal, MN 56055 507-726-6161 Brenda Margaret Pauline Anderson, age 82, of Lake Crystal, died Saturday, February 14, 2015, at Laurel's Peak in Mankato. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 20, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal. Interment will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Lake Crystal Mortuary, and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Andreas Cancer Center in Mankato or the Salvation Army. Brenda was born June 9, 1932, in Mankato to Carl A. "Gus" and Bernice (Schwanke) Johnson. She was a 1950 graduate of Mankato High School. She completed her education at the Mankato Teacher's College. While in college, Brenda studied and taught in Mexico City. Brenda was united in marriage to Jerome T. Anderson on August 25, 1959, in Mankato. They later divorced. Brenda taught at schools in Jackson, Amboy, Hutchinson, and North Minneapolis before becoming a homemaker for her family. She returned to teaching in 1986 at the Lake Crystal School District and retired in 1998. Brenda was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lake Crystal, the Lake Crystal American Legion Auxiliary, the MNO, was a Boy Scout Leader and a Campfire Girls Director. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading, fishing, her canine companions, and was known as the "Treat Lady" of Lake Crystal. Her graduating class of 1950 was continually an important part of her life. Brenda is survived by her three children, Julie (fiancé, Mike Jackson) Pirron of Mankato, Scott (Denise) Anderson of Lake Crystal, and Eric (Colleen) Anderson of Mankato; three grandchildren, Andrew (Daniele) Sharits of New Ulm, Matthew (special friend, ShanaLee) Sharits of Mankato, and Kyle (special friend, Becca Ann) Pirron of Mankato; three great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Jackson, and Charlie; one brother, Carl (Janet) Johnson of Mankato; nieces and nephews, Suzette Johnson, Lynn, Bruce, Kim, Gary, Steve, Kelly, James, and Ambjor Anderson; former brothers-in-law, George Anderson, Barney Anderson, Burt (Dodie) Anderson, and James Anderson; former sister-in-law, Anne Anderson; also cousins, other family, her canine companion, Archie, and many, many wonderful students and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; former husband, Jerome; granddaughter, Samantha Jo Anderson; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and JoAnn Johnson; brother-in-law, Bob Anderson; sisters-in-law, Roberta, Connie, and Linda; cousins, aunts and uncles, and faithful canine companions, Dutch, Oubie, and Barney.