Joanna Marie (Christianson) Anderson, daughter of Robert and Joan Christianson was born on April 28, 1958 in Shenandoah, Iowa. She passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2009, following a courageous battle with cancer at her home in Shenandoah. She attained the age of 50 years, 9 months and 22 days.
Growing up in Shenandoah, Joanna attended the Shenandoah Community Schools, graduating from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1976. On August 21, 1976, Joanna was united in marriage to Gary Anderson of Northboro. They were blessed with two children, Jay Dean and Valerie Ann and three granddaughters, Paige Nicole, Brooklyn Marie and Joslyn Jo Ann.
Joanna worked for Lloyd Laboratory in Shenandoah from 1992 through November 2008. She was a very caring and loving wife, mother and daughter. She had many, many friends.
Preceding Joanna in death were her sister, Debra Kay Christianson; grandparents, Bonnie Schwartz, Beryl Christianson, and Sheldon and Lenny Christianson; and mother-in-law, Joan Anderson Brooks.
Survivors include her husband of over 32 years, Gary Anderson and their children, Jay Anderson and his wife Julie and Valerie and her significant other, Jim Bates, and three granddaughters, Paige Nicole, Brooklyn Marie, Joslyn Jo Ann, all of Shenandoah. Also surviving are her parents, Robert and Joan Christianson of Shenandoah; brother, Bobby Christianson and his wife Freida and their sons, Nathaniel and Nicolas of Chandler, AZ, brother, Mark Christianson and his wife Michelle and their children Blake and Lauren of Manson, IA; and brother-in-law Terry Anderson and his wife Kathy of Coin, IA and their son Robert and his wife Bridget and their children Braydon and Keegan. She also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Joanna was on earth for such a short time but still lives in our hearts and memories forever. A memorial has been established in Joanna's name to the Nishna Valley Christian Church.
Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, Iowa with Rev. Jack Langley from the Nishna Valley Christian Church officiating. Attending to the memorial registers were Deb Potter and Carol Herold. Caring for flowers were Marsha Brink, Patty Hascall and Laura Ward. Serving as ushers were Blake Christenson, Nick Christenson and Nate Christenson. Special music for the services included the recordings of "Angel Eyes", "In The Arms of An Angel", "Remember When" and "On The Edge". Burial followed in the Rose Hill Cemetery. A luncheon was served at the Nishna Valley Christian Church.