Eva Lorraine Anderson

Eva Lorraine Anderson died on Friday, July 13, 2012 at Webb's Adult Care Home in Snowflake, Navajo County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. She was 89 years old. Eva was born on October 4, 1922 in Plentywood, Sheridan County, Montana to the late Sigvart and Anna (Johnson) Johansen. She graduated from high school in Medicine Lake, Montana in 1940. As a young woman, Eva began working as a security guard in civil service for The U.S. Coast Guard in Richmond, California located in the San Francisco Bay area. During this special time of her life, she was able to meet the true love of her life, Howard Eldon Anderson who happened to be in California receiving specialized training with the rest of the 168th Field Artillery for the Colorado National Guard. The young couple were married on Friday, June 13, 1942 at Camp Roberts in California. Eva was naturally a service oriented individual. Shortly after her marriage to Howard, she began working as a volunteer for the American Red Cross at several military hospitals. In 1977, Eva received a special plaque from The Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, California, recognizing 10,000 hours of volunteered acts of kindness through her service. Eva continued with her volunteer service for another 30 years and finally retired in 2007 at the age of 84! Even during her time of service to others, Eva experienced personal loss herself when her husband of 46 years died on July 3, 1988. She worked her way through her grief by caring for others in need. She truly lived a Christian life and strived to "Do unto others as she would have done unto her." It was also in 1988 that Eva was able to move to Arizona full-time, making her home in Tucson. She loved her years in Tucson and quickly became a familiar face at many places. Of course, she continued volunteering for the American Red Cross but also, she became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Tucson. She remained active there for many years and was always ready to lend a willing hand to other members of her church home. She also was an active member of the Order of The Eastern Star as well as the American Legion Auxiliary in Tucson. Everyone, whomever has had the privilege to work alongside of her, will miss her willingness to jump right in and lighten anybody's load. Her family was a military one and she was always ready to tell others just how proud she was to be the matriarch of such a dynamic group of people. Her husband was a Retired Master Sergeant from the U.S. Army; a son, Jack was a Retired Staff Sergeant from the U.S. Army and, another son, David, was a Retired Sergeant 1st Class from the U.S. Army. After her husband retired from the U.S. Army, Eva dusted off her school books and enrolled in Nurses' Training Programs in California. Many a fevered brow she cooled through her professional care and genuine concern. Throughout her long life, Eva loved to crochet! She literally has crocheted hundreds of doilies, afghans and blankets for her family and friends. They now consider these handmade gifts to be treasurers; as they were made with the love only a mother or grandmother can know. In 2009, Eva was able to move to her last home in Taylor, Arizona. She loved the last few years there and appreciated the tender love and care she was able to receive from her son, Don and his wife, Jeri. Eva Lorraine Anderson is survived by: her son, Donald (Jeri) Anderson of Taylor, Arizona; daughter, Annette (Bruce) Larsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 3 grandchildren: Diane (Allan) Gilbert of Simi Valley, California, Shawn (Darsey) Anderson of Tustin, California, Eric (Katrina) Larsen of Colorado Springs, Colorado; 5 great-grandchildren: Aarion Caldwell, Sara Gilbert, Jake Gilbert, Lena Larsen and Anja Larsen. In addition to her parents and husband, Eva was preceded in death by 2 sons (who each suffered from adult onset muscular dystrophy): Jack Anderson and David Anderson. Graveside services will be held 1:00 P.M., Friday July 27, 2012 at the Fort Logan National Memorial Cemetery 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, Colorado, where she will be laid to rest alongside of her forever sweetheart, Howard.