Memorial services for Leland Anderson and Marilyn Anderson of Aurelia will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cherokee, with Pastor Jean Morse officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 on Friday at the church. This will be a celebration of life for both Leland and Marilyn on Saturday. Inurnment will be held later that day at Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Redig Funeral Home of Aurelia is in charge of the arrangements.
Leland Arvid Anderson was born on September 21, 1932 in Larrabee, Iowa to Arvid and Mary (Lockwood) Anderson. He grew up on a family farm by Aurelia and graduated from Aurelia Community Schools in 1950. He then attended Iowa State University where he was part of the Thetas Xi Fraternity, Iowa State Singers, and ISU’s ROTC program. After graduating with a degree in agriculture, he enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Upon returning from the service, he began his teaching career in Marcus, Iowa and met Marilyn Otto, whom he married on June 23, 1957. He later received his Master’s degree and was an administrator at Kanawha and Meriden-Cleghorn Community Schools before retiring in Cleghorn.
Marilyn Ruth Otto was born on October 2, 1934 in Storm Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest and Elvira (Getzmeier) Otto of Alta, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm with her four younger sisters and graduated valedictorian of her class from Alta Community Schools in 1952. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, she began her first teaching job in Humboldt, Iowa. During this time, she met the love of her life, Leland Anderson. She later completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa and substitute taught for several years before teaching at Meriden-Cleghorn and Willow Community Schools (Quimby).
Leland loved to sing, and was active in various singing groups throughout his life, including church choir, Melody Masters Quartet (Air Force), Barbershoppers, and various other choirs. We don’t think he ever met a song he didn’t like, especially if you’d sing it with him. He loved antique cars, fishing, and cheering on the Cyclones. Marilyn was active in various Lutheran Church activities and groups. She was an avid reader and loved learning and experiencing new things throughout her life. They enjoyed dancing, going to card club, and socializing with friends. In their retirement years, they enjoyed traveling by RV and wintering in Texas. During their travels they were able to visit 48 of the 50 state capitals. They were always excited to attend concerts, musicals, sporting events, etc. and often traveled many miles to support family and friends.
Leland passed away on December 29th, 2021, and Marilyn passed away on May 7th, 2020, both at Accura Healthcare of Aurelia, Iowa.
They were preceded in death by: his parents Arvid and Mary Anderson, sister Ruby (Anderson) Gano and brother Lawrence Anderson; brother-in-law Lowell Gano and sister-in-law Donna Anderson, her parents Ernest and Elvira Otto, sisters Janice (Otto) Krejchi and Norma (Otto) Hayes, brothers-in-law Mike Krejchi, Frank Lieb, Ed Adkins, Arno Benedett, and Mike Wurdeman.
Left to cherish their love of life are children; Pamela and her husband Darrell Raduechel of Des Moines, Mitchell and his wife Lynn Anderson of Indianola and Darren and his wife Tracy Anderson of Spirit Lake; grandchildren Christina and husband Pat VanWyk, David Raduechel and wife-to-be Meredith O’Brien, Matthew Raduechel and wife-to-be Aryka Parsons, Meagan and husband Ryan Jacobson, Tyler and wife Megan Anderson, Jacob and wife Kristen Anderson, Lauren and husband Anthony White, and Kyle Anderson; seven great-grandchildren; sisters Sandra Benedett and Beverly Wurdeman and brother-in-law Richard Hayes; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family is looking forward to gathering with family and friends to celebrate and share memories of the lives of Leland and Marilyn.