Leona Anderson

Leona Marie, daughter of Fred and Sophia (Lux) Ott, was born August 10, 1921 at Glidden, Iowa. After a short time the family moved to a farm seven miles north of Glidden and then a year later moved to the Oak Hill area northwest of Coon Rapids. Leona started her schooling in a rural school near their farm. In 1929 they moved to Lake City where Leona graduated from high school in 1935. While attending one of the many dances in the area, Leona met Don Anderson. They were married in 1945. Eventually Don started the Anderson Insurance Company in Coon Rapids where the couple had settled. Leona and Don were blessed with the addition of 5 year old Robert Eugene "Bobby" to their family in 1958. The family enjoyed going to dances and card parties with friends. After Don's death in 1967, Leona operated the insurance business for a time before selling to Bruce Annear. She worked for Bruce for a time and then worked for an insurance business in Perry. She returned to work in Coon Rapids at First Federal Savings and Loan before her retirement. Leona was a busy woman. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, UMW, Apple Dumpling Gang and the Rebekah Lodge. She enjoyed participating in activities of the Old Carrollton Heritage Club. Over the years, Leona took great pleasure in travelling with her friends all over the world. In what spare time she had she crocheted, volunteered at Congregate Meals, read, worked crossword puzzles, loved watching and feeding the birds and enjoyed the outdoors, especially watching Mallard ducks. When she was no longer able to live alone, Leona moved to Park View Assisted Living in Coon Rapids. She died quietly in her sleep early Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at the age of 91 years, one month and nine days. Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; two brothers Clarence Ott and Carl Ott and six sisters: Della Phillips, Hazel Roden, Hilda McClintock, Alice Zimmerman, Emma Montgomery and Esther Zimmerman.