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Obituary

Barbara Ann Andersen, age 84, died peacefully Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at Delnor Hospital in Geneva surrounded by her family.

Barbara Ann (McCollom) Andersen was a New Year’s baby, born January 1, 1931 in Quincy, Illinois to the late Malcolm and Mildred McCollom Foehlinger. She lived in Burlington, Iowa from the third grade on and graduated from Burlington High School in 1948. She attended Burlington Jr. College for two years. Then, she transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa for one year. On August 19, 1951, Barbara married the love of her life, John Andersen. They were married at Grace United Methodist Church in Burlington, Iowa.

In 1951, her senior year, she transferred to Coe College where she graduated with a B.S. in Elementary Education in 1952. Barbara taught second grade for one year at Emerson School in Marian, Iowa before starting a family. Three of their children, Mark, Scott, and Christine were all born in Marian, Iowa. In 1960 they moved to Geneva, Illinois where John accepted a position as an Elementary School Principal for the West Chicago School District #33.

In 1961, John and Barb built their family home on 17 Nebraska Street and lived there for 27 years. In 1963 Julie was born completing their family of four children. When the children were younger, Barbara was a devoted, patient, and loving homemaker to her four children. When they were older, Barb went back to school to complete her Library Science Degree. She worked in the Elementary and Middle School libraries in the Geneva School District #304. Barbara also worked as a Special Education Assistant at Elgin High School for 10 years before retiring in 1993.

Barbara was a 55 year member of the United Methodist Church of Geneva. She was a member of the True Value Circle, served on various committees in the church over the years, and in her early years sang in the church choir. Barbara served in her community as a tutor with the Literacy Volunteers of America Program for 7 years and was a volunteer (“pink lady”) at Delnor Community Hospital for 12 years. Barbara loved music, she played the piano and had a beautiful singing voice. She also enjoyed reading different types of literature.

Barbara was a sweet, kind, and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She touched many lives in her years on this earth and will be missed dearly by all of those who loved her.

She is survived by her husband of 63 ½ years; sons Mark (Lore) Andersen and Scott Andersen both of Tempe, Arizona; daughters Christine (Ronald) Donovan of Geneva and Julie Pfeiffer of Chaska, Minnesota; nine grandchildren Phillip (Maggie) Andersen of Chicago, Julie Andersen of Scottsdale, Arizona, Eric & Patrick Donovan of Denver, Colorado, Brinn and Megan Pfeiffer of Denver, Colorado, Hayley and Annika Andersen of Tempe, Arizona and Wesley Henderson of Chaska, Minnesota; step sister Kay Foehlinger (Keith) Angier of Anacortes, Washington; and many dear nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 25, 2015 from 4:00 -8:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street (Route 38), Geneva.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 26 at 11:00 am at United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton Street, Geneva with Pastor Bill Obalil, officiating.

Burial will be held privately at a later date at the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the United Methodist Church of Geneva, 211 Hamilton Street, Geneva, Illinois 60134 would be appreciated.