Florence Anderson

Florence Marie (Powers) Anderson was born on May 31, 1927, at her home in rural Barneveld, Wisconsin to her parents R. Elliott and Mabel (Miles) Powers. She attended grade school in rural Barneveld. In 1935, her parents packed up everything and moved to rural Barrett, Minnesota. Florence graduated from Barrett High School in 1945. She went on to attend two years at St. Cloud teachers’ college, graduating in 1947. Her first teaching assignment was District 1 in Elk Lake Township. She then accepted a teaching position in Erdahl, Minnesota, teaching there for two years.

On June 10, 1949, she married Lawrence J. Anderson. Together they farmed in rural Erdahl. In 1964, she started working at Elbow Lake Community Hospital, and in 1969, she started working at Grant County Social Services. Later she worked with her sister, Mary Jane at the Thread Shed in Elbow Lake doing custom sewing and drapery’s. At the age of 52, she was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, losing total sight in one eye and partial sight in the other eye. She never let it get in her way, continuing to sew, quilt, knit and crochet, doing it all by feel.

In October 2018, she became a resident of the Evansville Senior Living where she met many friends.

Surviving are her children, Lynn (Gene) Jensen of Ashby, MN, Geri Coyne of Wahpeton, ND, Genell (Bryan) Kyllo of Dundas, MN; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Wally (Ina) Powers, along with numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lawrence J. Anderson, son Layne Anderson, grandson Bill Anderson, along with two brothers and one sister and their spouses, John (Marlene) Powers, Dave (Marion) Powers, MaryJane (Willard) Anderson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Elbow Lake with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

Inurnment at Erdahl Cemetery, rural Elbow Lake.

Arrangements by Erickson-Smith Funeral Home.