Carolyn Diane Anderson, daughter of Donald and Lois Anderson, was born November 23, 1949. She lived most of her life with her parents on the family farm east of Essex, Iowa and was a graduate of Essex High School in 1968.

Carolyn was a lifelong member of St John's Lutheran Church in Essex, and participated in many groups including the LCW Ladies Chorus, St. John's Quilters and the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Carolyn also enjoyed books and spent many, many hours at the Essex Public Library, both reading and volunteering her time. Carolyn spent her later years in Shenandoah, Iowa and was a proud resident of Windsor Manor. Carolyn loved Andy Williams, As The World Turns, the Maxine cartoon character, and was an avid sports fan, specifically of the NBA, the Boston Celtics and her beloved Iowa Hawkeyes.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, and several aunts and uncles. She is survived by her five cousins, Gerald Carlson and his wife Barbra, and their children Stephen (Michelle), Susan (GT) and David (Kimberly) of Norman, Oklahoma; Gene Carlson and his wife Kathy and daughter Sara Carlson of Des Moines, Iowa; Richard Carlson and his wife Pat and their children Rachelle (Jason), Kara (Jan), Nicole and Stephanie of Mount Vernon, Illinois; John Anderson and his wife Colleen and their children Shannon and Michelle of Houston, Texas; Steven Anderson and his wife Roseanne and their children Jeffrey and Kimberly of Antelope, California; her supportive friends Diane Liljedahl, Janet Walker, Karen Ahrens; other relatives and many friends.

Celebration of life funeral service will be held 10:30 am, Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the St. John Lutheran Church in Essex.

Visitation with the family will be held for 9:30 am until 10:30 am, Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the church.

Burial will be held at the Essex Cemetery in Essex.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the St. John's Lutheran Church or the Essex Library.