Date of Birth:
Saturday, July 6, 1935
Date of Death:
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Age:
89 years old

Elsiemae Anderson

Elsiemae Anderson

July 6, 1935 – May 28, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Elsiemae Anderson in the first hour of May 28, 2025 at her home at The Waters on Mayowood in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 89. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sigurd J. Anderson, who passed away just 109 days before her. Elsie and Sigurd were married for 66 wonderful years. She is survived by her sons Marlyn, Kevin (Linda), Steven (Melissa), three grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and three step great-grandchildren.

Elsiemae was born on July 6, 1935 in Portland township, Wisconsin, and was raised on the family farm with her brother, David, and two sisters, Marie and Carolyn, who all survive her. Elsie attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, receiving a teaching certificate. It was during this time that she met Sigurd while she was student teaching in Houston, Minnesota. During their courtship, they traded nearly daily love letters to each other until they married  on June 22, 1958.

Elsie taught at schools in Kenyon and Houston, Minnesota. In addition to being Sigurd’s wife and raising their three sons, she participated in the church choir and served as a substitute teacher. Elsie played a pivotal role in sustaining the Kasson Public Library during her tenure as their chairperson. Throughout her life, she happily volunteered at church functions, quilting collaborations, and at the public library in Crosslake, Minnesota.

Elsiemae had the incredible gift of developing lifelong friendships with so many who crossed her path. She rarely turned down an invite to graduations, weddings, school concerts or class reunions. She learned the art of quilting, creating many beautiful quilts over the years, even providing a commemorative quilt to the Kasson Public Library that continues to be displayed to this day.

After retirement, Elsie and Sigurd lived nearly 30 years in Crosslake, where they became an integral part of the community.  She enjoyed pontoon rides and loon watching in the summers, always documenting her weather observations and wildlife discoveries in her daily calendar.  Elsie and Sigurd spent countless days in Texas and Alabama during the winter months golfing, walking the beaches, and socializing with fellow snowbird couples from Minnesota. As their aging became more challenging, they eventually moved back to Rochester to live out their remaining years together amongst so many of their lifelong friends.

Elsie’s greatest joy was in service to her family. She would be in the kitchen morning and night preparing all manner of treats and meals. She and Sigurd took great pride in making lefse and various Norwegian cookies at Christmastime.  She was the epitome of selflessness, always working to be of service to her family, church and community. Her love, kindness, gift of friendship (and her cookies) will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service to honor Elsiemae will be held on Friday, June 27 with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minnesota, with a luncheon reception to follow.