Irene Anderson
1921 - 2016
Irene Ruth Mercer Anderson, beloved wife of the late Arthur Anderson, passed away in Taber on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the age of 94 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Monday, July 18, 2016 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and also at the church prior to the funeral service on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 between 9:30 A.M. and 10:40 A.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Burial followed at the Barnwell Cemetery.
She is survived by seven children, Gerald “Jerry” (Becky) Anderson of Coaldale; Ray (Jane) Anderson of St. George, Utah; Keith (Cathy) Anderson of Parker, Colorado; Shirley (Carl) Lyman of Spanish Fork, Utah; Dorothy (Jay) Burrup of West Valley City, Utah; Brenda (Scott) Yancey of Sparwood, British Columbia; Rodney (Terri) Anderson of West Jordan, Utah; thirty eight grandchildren and seventy six great grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Bob (Bev) Mercer of Littleton, Colorado and Jim (Lotte) Mercer of Clifton, Virginia; sisters-in-law Zelma Gilbertson of Taber, Kris Sullivan of Lemoore, California and by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her spouse Arthur Anderson; parents Jim and Ela Mercer; sister Betty Jo (Ken) Gelwix; brother Larry Mercer; daughter-in-law Carol Anderson; grandson Erik Anderson; great grandson Nolyn Anderson.
Irene was born October 11, 1921 in Cardston, the eldest child of James Lee and Catherine Ela Coombs Mercer. Irene grew up in Spring Coulee, Rosemary and Barnwell. After high school, Irene attended the Henderson Secretarial School in Calgary and then worked for Imperial Life Insurance.
During her growing up years in Barnwell, she met the love of her life Arthur Anderson and they were married in the Cardston Alberta Temple on September 13, 1944. They farmed in Barnwell and Fincastle where they raised their seven children.
Irene was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had a great love and testimony of her Saviour Jesus Christ and had the opportunity to serve with her husband in the Texas Fort Worth Mission from 1992 - 1993.
Irene and Arthur worked together for the Alberta Vegetable Growers Marketing Board for many years and she also enjoyed spending many hours serving in the community. One of her favorite service opportunities was the work she did with the Taber Irrigation Impact Museum. She loved gardening, family history, crossword puzzles and above all, her family.
Irene had a great zeal for life. She was sharp as a tack and had a quick wit. She loved to laugh and spend time with her family and many lifelong friends.