Vivian Ruth Anderson

Vivian Ruth Anderson, 99, of Rockford, IL, went home to her Heavenly Father on December 24, 2024, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, surrounded by her loved ones.

Born on October 29, 1925, in Rockford, Illinois, to John and Ruth (Johansson) Wennerdahl, Vivian was the youngest of three children. She attended Vandercook Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, and graduated from East High School in 1943.

Vivian met her future husband, Ronald Anderson, on a hayride when she was 15 years old. They were married on November 27, 1943, and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary before Ron passed away on February 17, 2004.

A longtime member of First Evangelical Free Church, Vivian was deeply involved in the church community, serving in the Friendship Sunday School Class, Thyra Circle, Women’s Missionary Society (WMS), and the church library. She loved working in her garden, reading, crocheting, spending time at the family cottage in Northern Wisconsin, sitting around a campfire, playing games, doing puzzles, and enjoying her favorite treat—ice cream.

Vivian was also a dedicated volunteer at the Rockford Rescue Mission, where she began in the office and later worked in the thrift store. She cherished the relationships she built through her volunteer work, and her generosity and spirit of service touched many lives.

She is survived by her daughter, Connie (Billy) Rodgers; granddaughter, Kimberly (Tom) Nabours; many nieces and nephews; special friends, Sherry Pitney and Sharon May. She was predeceased by her husband, Ronald Anderson; parents, John and Ruth Wennerdahl; siblings, Harold Wennerdahl and Violet Miller.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Fairhaven, 2nd Floor Healthcare, and Northern Illinois Hospice for the wonderful and loving care Vivian received.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center, 3470 N. Alpine Rd., Rockford, IL 61114. Pastor Chuck Rife will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the service time, with a reception to follow. Private burial will be at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery in Rockford, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rockford Rescue Mission.

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