ANDERSEN, Lona Alice

Lona Andersen, age 89, of Marquette, died Friday evening, July 30, 2004, at the Hamilton Manor in Aurora. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 3rd at the Higby-McQuiston Chapel in Aurora. Rev. Brian Kottas will officiate. Interment will be in Aurora Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 P.M. to 8 P.M. Monday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 P.M. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com. OBITUARY: LONA ANDERSEN Lona Alice Andersen, the daughter of William Harmon and Bessie (Thornton) Hodge, was born in Westerville, Nebraska on November 21, 1914 and died in Aurora, Nebraska on July 30, 2004, at the age of 89. She grew up in Westerville and graduated from Westerville High School. Lona was united in marriage to Elmer Victor Andersen on November 29, 1933, at Ord, Nebraska. They farmed for seven years in that area, and in 1945, they moved back to Marquette. They bought a school bus and she drove for the Marquette Public School for a few years and then sold it to the Marquette Public School, where she drove for 23 years, carrying for three generations of kids. Elmer passed away on June 13, 1985. Lona moved to the Hamilton Manor in 1991. Lona loved being a mother and housewife and enjoyed working with her flowers, in her garden and in her yard. She enjoyed playing bingo, working with the flowers and all the other activities at the Manor. Lona especially liked all the people that worked there and the volunteers that came in. Lona was a member of the Aurora United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; a son, Leo, three sisters and two brothers. Those left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Phil (Sherrie) Andersen of Marquette and Gene (fiancée Rhonda) Andersen of Henderson; 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Flora Nell of Hickonbottom, Washington and many nieces, nephews and friends.