Glenda Anderson

Glenda G. Anderson, age 77, of rural Prinsburg, passed away Monday, Dec. 7, at the Clara City Care Center.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Roseland Reformed Church.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Following the service will be food, music, fellowship and sharing of memories.  Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Glenda was born on May 16, 1943, in Canton, Ohio, the daughter of Harold Sanders and (Sally) Delores Sanders (Rich).  The eldest of three girls born and raised in Canton, OH where she was active in many things including sports like lady's basketball and softball.. Forever a beautiful woman both inside and out, after high school, Glenda attended a prestigious modeling school where she was recruited to train and work for the airlines as a cabin attendant choosing Northwest Airlines and Minneapolis, MN to call home.. She was blessed to be able to travel and explore much of the world through her work meeting many interesting people and making many friends on her adventures.. While in MN, she met, and later married, Jerry Anderson on July 24, 1967 in a lovely private ceremony.. The two went on to build a home and begin their lives as a family in Lakeville, MN.  She and Jerry have two children- son Phillip and daughter Shawn.  The family later moved to a 15-acre hobby farm in rural MN near Prinsburg where Glenda continued to raise and show champion Morgan Horses and Yorkshire Terriers as well as her involvement with local animal rescue and help running the family farrowing operation.  Glenda later went on to assist veterinarians at the Olivia Vet Clinic and also worked in the animal/pet industry until being chosen to help start up the Pet Dept. at the original Wal-Mart store when it came to Willmar, MN where she later received honors and thanks from Mr. Sam Walton himself.. During this time Glenda also began a long loved and successful dog training class through the Community Education Dept. of Redwood Falls, MN where she was the instructor for over 37 years and later in Willmar, MN where she taught for 10 years.. A tough but fair instructor, she became a beloved teacher and mentor to many.. Glenda loved to share and to teach, enabling and inspiring owners and pet parents to connect and communicate with their four- legged companions and feathered and aquatic friends.  She had an extraordinary gift and way with animals, often beyond explanation, that allowed her to accomplish what others could not and then the gift to teach and empower others to do the same. She was trusted to train several service and therapy dogs who went on to extend blessings to those they served and visited enriching the lives of many.. After leaving Wal-Mart, Glenda continued to teach and went on to semi-retire working for A.S.I Pets in Willmar, MN continuing the works she loved enhancing and inspiring the human/animal bond and connection.. Throughout her adult life, Glenda enjoyed working with animals. She had a successful show career with her Morgan Horses- raising the #1 Halter Champion Mare of that time and going on to raise several foals who went on to be champions and wonderful companions.  She also raised and showed champion Yorkshire Terriers with a good friend and partner- some of whom went on to win at the famous Westminster Show.  Glenda later went on to raise and exhibit Peruvian Horses- a rare gaited breed from Peru South America- introducing this unique horse to the Willmar area.  Throughout her many travels and her work and love for animals, Glenda enjoyed a community and comradery of beautiful friendships that blessed her life in many ways and allowed her to share her talents and gifts of animal communication and insights to help and bless others.  She truly had a rare and special way about her.  Always devoted to the cause of animal welfare and rescue Glenda participated in the early development of rescue groups in Renville and Redwood Counties as well as often being active in Kandiyohi County where she later went on to serve as a member of the Hawk Creek Animal Shelter Board of Directors.

Glenda had a love of flower gardens and wild bird care and watching that she shared with her Mother, Sister and special friends.  She also enjoyed many types of music, good movies and games with family and friends.  A feisty and sassy woman with a unique sense of humor and fearless spirit (taking up skydiving to overcome an aversion to heights) Glenda had a rare kindness and genuine way about her, always doing her best to make others feel able, empowered, special and appreciated.  She had a compassionate nature and fierce strength and courage.  Truly, blessed by many- she went on to do her best to be a blessing to many.  A beautiful woman who will be forever loved and very deeply missed.

Glenda is survived by her husband of 53 years Jerry Anderson, son Phillip and daughter-in-law Rosemary Anderson, daughter Shawn Anderson, sister June Boccuti, and uncle William Rich. Grandchildren Deserae Anderson, Ashley Anderson, Victoria Martinez, and Sara Baumann, 11 beloved great grandchildren, her niece, nephews, cousins and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and (Sally) Delores Sanders, sister Shirley (Cookie) Brocious and grandson Christopher Martinez as well as her grandparents, aunts and uncles, who greeted her with love.