DeAnne Anderson

DeAnne L. Anderson, 83, of Alpha, IL went home to her Heavenly Father Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at OSF St. Mary’s in Galesburg, IL. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, December 13, 2020 at Peterson-Wallin-Knox Funeral Home in Alpha. A private family service will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020 at Zion Lutheran Church in Taylor Ridge, IL with burial to follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kewanee, IL.  Online condolences may be left at www.petersonwallinknox.com.

DeAnne was born September 18, 1937 in Rock Island, IL to Thomas and Virginia (Davis) Murphy. She graduated from Rock Island High School in 1955. On October 23, 1955, DeAnne was united in marriage to Otis A. Anderson at Zion Lutheran Church.

DeAnne was a wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She cherished her family and friends and spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren, to whom she was lovingly known as Mock. She enjoyed gardening, baking, spoiling her grandkids and watching the Cubs. DeAnne always had a new recipe to try out and her green thumb showed in her beautiful yard that attracted birds, butterflies and grandchildren. Her gentle spirit was matched by her feisty sense of humor, especially when talking about baseball and her stocked candy drawer and back scratches are...legendary.

DeAnne was a current member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kewanee and a former member at Zion Lutheran Church in Taylor Ridge. She was always very active in both congregations. She enjoyed serving on the Altar Guild and would always take her turn bringing breakfast for adult Sunday School at St. Paul’s, who were all very special to her.   At Zion, DeAnne taught Sunday School for nearly 40 years and some of her favorite memories were traveling to the LWML conventions with her friends.

Above all, DeAnne loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was her prayer that all would know the saving grace of Christ. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11.25

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband, Otis; her children, DeEtte (Leslie) Lindsey, Alpha, Timothy (Julie) Anderson, Alpha, Noel (Lisa) Anderson, Andalusia, IL, Kevin (Linda) Anderson, Bettendorf, IA, Shawn (Kris) Anderson, Geneseo, IL; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

DeAnne was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Patrick and her sister, Carma Watson.