Ilene Anderson

Ilene Frances Anderson, 92, of Duluth, passed away peacefully at Edgewood Vista on January 16th, 2020. She was born in Duluth on December 21, 1927, to William and Alma Grondahl.

Ilene accepted the lord Jesus at a young age while attending Bethe Chapel.  She has gone home to be with Jesus.

While working as a phone operator for Ma Bell, she met her future husband, Vern, never dreaming of the vibrant, loving, and long marriage of over 70 years. Back in their early days together Ilene enjoyed lots of outdoor time with Vern, grouse hunting, fishing, and camping, and spending many glorious days in the sun. Ilene's favorite indoor hobbies included needlework projects, knitting, puzzles and games, and decorating for holidays

They started their family of 6 kids while living in West Duluth. They then moved to Fredenberg and lived in the little house behind what is now The Minno-Ette.   A couple years later they moved to the farm and lived there until Vern passed away 2017.

In 1986 Ilene and Vern created Rolling Ruts Golf Course and turned the barn into a clubhouse.  It was a labor of love for them both and an outreach to the community.  They operated their golf course until Vern passed away in 2017.

Ilene and Vern teamed up for the perfect plan on how to raise a family. Dad worked for a paycheck. Ilene worked at their home raising 6 kids   Ilene loved being a Mom. It was not job-like at all!!   She taught her kids to be polite, kind, respectful to others. She taught them that playing hard was every bit as important as working hard. She LOVED playing with her kids from when they were babies and throughout their whole lives.

After Vern passed, Ilene moved to Edgewood Vista Assisted Living. She loved her 2 years there. She loved her neighbors there. She loved the staff. And she loved the food.  She had a very active and social life while living there. When her kids came to visit, she always made a point to introduce them to someone she felt could use a visit. She was very thoughtful that way.

Ilene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vern; youngest daughter, Kim; grandchildren, Amy Anderson and Michael Montgomery; brother, Willy; sister, Margaret, Mother and Father-in-law; all her in-laws that have passed who  were such a big part of her life; and best friend, Stumpy.

She is survived by her children, Jeanne Gearhart (Tom), Dianna Anderson, Steve Anderson (Lori), Mike Anderson (Kristi), Bruce Anderson (Bonnie); many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Betty; and other family and friends.

Funeral service will be 11AM, Thursday, January 23, 2020, with visitation one-hour prior, in the Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55805.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555