Doris J. (Nelson) Anderson

Doris Anderson, 90, of Clarion passed away Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills.

Memorial services for Doris Anderson will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at the First Lutheran Church, 420 1st Street North West in Clarion, with Pastor Grant Woodley officiating.

Family will greet friends one hour prior to services on Saturday at the Church.

Doris Jean (Nelson) Anderson was born April 11, 1925 to Sewell and Rosalia (Hanson) Nelson in Forest City, Iowa. She attended public schools in Leland, Iowa, graduating with the Class of 1942. Following graduation, Doris attended Hamilton Business College in Mason City, graduating in 1944.

Doris was united in marriage to Kenneth R. Anderson at Center Lutheran Church near Lake Mills, Iowa on June 16, 1946. The couple made their home in various communities in Minnesota and in Iowa before returning to live in Clarion in 1978.

Doris worked as a secretary and office assistant for a number of years, beginning at First National Bank and Fairmont Railway Motors, both in Fairmont, Minnesota; at Jenson Insurance Agency and Trinity Lutheran Church, both in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; and at the Tracy High School Library and Tracy Lutheran Church, both in Tracy, Minnesota.

Doris lived her faith in a number of ways, as a member of the church choirs in Fairmont, Sleepy Eye and Tracy as well as serving as officer in these churches and in various other groups. She was active in church circle, FLCW, as a Luther League advisor and as a member of First Lutheran Church in Clarion.

Doris volunteered as a member of Mary’s and Martha’s, at the hospital gift shop and front desk, as an officer of the Clarion Garden Club and on the Clarion Hospital auxiliary.

Doris will be remembered as a strong and gentle woman who faced adversity head on with integrity and grace.

Doris is survived by her daughters Nancy Anderson of New Ulm, Minnesota and Carol Martinson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; step-grandchildren Pete Martinson, Steve Martinson and Holly (Bob) Bongard; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Iris Koons of Swea City, brother Roger Nelson of Forest City; brother-in-law Leonard Anderson of Fairmont, Minnesota; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth in 2005, her son Karl Anderson, son-in-law Bob Martinson, brother Owen Nelson, and brothers-in-law Harley Anderson and Jim Koons.

Memorials may be directed to Mary’s and Martha’s or First Lutheran Church and sent to the family’s attention at P.O. Box 363 in Clarion, 50525.