Ona Lorene Anderson
April 26, 1920 ~ June 4, 2013
Ona Lorene (Smith) Andersen, 93, of Walnut died at 11 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at Walnut Manor. She was born April 26, 1920, in South Pekin, Tazewell County, the daughter of Lloyd and Bessie (Brines) Smith. She moved with her parents to Bureau County when she was about 6 years old and lived in Manlius Township ever since. She married Paul L. Andersen on June 27, 1936, in Fort Madison, Iowa, and they farmed for more than 70 years in the Walnut area. She enjoyed her family and especially having her grandchildren spending time at the farm during their summer break. She enjoyed working in her beautiful flower garden, family genealogy, area history and spending many winters in Tucson, Ariz. She was a member of the Grace United Brethren Church of Manlius and later the First Baptist Church of Manlius where she taught Sunday school at both for many years. She was a member of the Illinois Mayflower Society as a descendant of Stephen Hopkins and also a charter member of the Manlius Historical Society. She is survived by three children, Robert Eugene of Walnut, twin daughters Patti Glafka of Sterling and Betti Appenzeller of Rock Falls; six grandchildren, Frank (Betsy) Anderson, Deborah (Tom) Cushman, Sheryl (Steve) Carruthers, Mark Glafka (Damon Marquis), Rhonda (Dave) Stutzke and Gary (Tina) Appenzeller; 10 great-grandchildren: Isabel and Charlotte Anderson, Jay (Ashley) Cushman and Erin Cushman, Ali and Jessica Carruthers, Andrew and Ryan Stutzke, Greg Appenzeller and Alena (Appenzeller) Johnson; one great-great-granddaughter, Kate Johnson; one great-great-grandson, Liam Richard Johnson; and one sister, Carol (Stan) Gingrich. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; grandson, Michael Paul Andersen; two sons-in-law, James Glafka and Richard Appenzeller; and one sister, Shirley (Smith) Sindt. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Grant Johnson Funeral Home in Manlius. Burial will be in the Manlius Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. Friday at the Grant Johnson Funeral Home in Manlius. Memorials may be made to the Manlius Historical Society, First Baptist Church of Manlius or Walnut Manor Nursing Home.
Robert, Patti, Betti and the whole family
I am so sorry to hear about Ona. I don’t know why but Ona being the oldest cousin and I the youngest always captivated me. Many years ago I once called her Aunt Bessie, she never forgot it and reminded me of that almost every time I saw her. I shall miss her as I do all of our family members who have already gone. Love Randy, Laura, Katie and Alyssa Smith.
Ona was a key part of my childhood spiritual development at the UB church. Remember her years of running Bible School. She loved the Lord and let us know it!