Barbara Mae Anderson
Barbara Mae Anderson (nee Swendiman), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and artist, died Oct. 19, 2020. Born Aug. 27, 1929 in Dodge Center, Minn., Barb grew up in rural southern Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in related art. While attending the U of M, Barb met Bob Anderson of Chisago City, Minn. Barb and Bob were married in St. Paul, Minn., on June 14, 1953. They were devoted to each other for 66 years and were only separated by Bob's death in August 2019. Barb was a loving, kind, considerate person who taught her children and grandchildren that "if you can't say anything nice about somebody, you shouldn't say anything." She delighted her family with her many sayings and songs. Barb and Bob were devoted to their family and were constant attendees of their grandchildren's games, concerts and other events. Barb was an active, long-time member of University Lutheran Church, the Lansing Art Gallery, the MSU Faculty Folk Club and the MSU Farmers' Club. She volunteered for, and served in leadership positions, in many community organizations, including the Lansing Art Gallery (representative to and secretary to the Board of Directors) and MSU Faculty Folk Club (Art Interest Group Chair). Barb was also a talented, gifted artist. She always saw the beauty in her surroundings and captured what she saw in her paintings. Her paintings were exhibited in many venues, including the University of Minnesota, the Lansing Art Gallery, WKAR-TV, the MSU Union and numerous local churches and civic buildings. In addition to her volunteer work, Barb worked as a design consultant in St. Paul, Minn., and as a substitute secretary in the East Lansing Public Schools. Barb is survived by her children Katherine (Jeff) Bracken and David (Allyse) Anderson; her grandchildren Lauren (A. J.) Schefke, Carter (Kaitlin) Anderson, Eric (Stacy) Anderson, Matthew Bracken, Andrew (Rachel) Bracken and Christopher Bracken; and her great grandchildren Iyla, Edie and Remy Anderson, and Anderson and Broderick Schefke. Barb was preceded in death by her parents Monroe Miller Swendiman and Emma Hansen Swendiman, sisters Ruth Hovden and Eileen Knutson, and brothers Monroe W. Swendiman and Charles H. Swendiman.Obituary
Barbara Mae Anderson (nee Swendiman), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and artist, died Oct. 19, 2020. Born Aug. 27, 1929 in Dodge Center, Minn., Barb grew up in rural southern Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in related art. While attending the U of M, Barb met Bob Anderson of Chisago City, Minn. Barb and Bob were married in St. Paul, Minn., on June 14, 1953. They were devoted to each other for 66 years and were only separated by Bob's death in August 2019. Barb was a loving, kind, considerate person who taught her children and grandchildren that "if you can't say anything nice about somebody, you shouldn't say anything." She delighted her family with her many sayings and songs. Barb and Bob were devoted to their family and were constant attendees of their grandchildren's games, concerts and other events. Barb was an active, long-time member of University Lutheran Church, the Lansing Art Gallery, the MSU Faculty Folk Club and the MSU Farmers' Club. She volunteered for, and served in leadership positions, in many community organizations, including the Lansing Art Gallery (representative to and secretary to the Board of Directors) and MSU Faculty Folk Club (Art Interest Group Chair). Barb was also a talented, gifted artist. She always saw the beauty in her surroundings and captured what she saw in her paintings. Her paintings were exhibited in many venues, including the University of Minnesota, the Lansing Art Gallery, WKAR-TV, the MSU Union and numerous local churches and civic buildings. In addition to her volunteer work, Barb worked as a design consultant in St. Paul, Minn., and as a substitute secretary in the East Lansing Public Schools. Barb is survived by her children Katherine (Jeff) Bracken and David (Allyse) Anderson; her grandchildren Lauren (A. J.) Schefke, Carter (Kaitlin) Anderson, Eric (Stacy) Anderson, Matthew Bracken, Andrew (Rachel) Bracken and Christopher Bracken; and her great grandchildren Iyla, Edie and Remy Anderson, and Anderson and Broderick Schefke. Barb was preceded in death by her parents Monroe Miller Swendiman and Emma Hansen Swendiman, sisters Ruth Hovden and Eileen Knutson, and brothers Monroe W. Swendiman and Charles H. Swendiman.
Events
There are no events scheduled. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family in memory of Barbara Mae Anderson.
Send flowers