DELAVAN – Mary Nell Patterson Anderson, age 83, of Delavan passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at Vintage on the Ponds in Delavan. She was born July 8, 1932, in Milton, FL, to Merle and Margaret (Lynn) Patterson. Mary Nell grew up in Columbus, OH, where her father was a firefighter and later Battalion Chief for the Columbus Fire Dept. She graduated from Linden- McKinley High School in Columbus in 1950 where she was involved in various activities and was a drum majorette. Mary Nell attended The Ohio State University. She worked as a secretary for various companies, office manager for an orthodontist, and especially loved her time as an aide at Delavan-Darien Schools helping children learn to read. Mary Nell enjoyed reading, dancing, and playing bridge. She was a member of United Church of Christ, Monday Club, and Friends of Aram Library. She also served as a board member for the National Kidney Foundation of SE Wisconsin, delivered Meals on Wheels, and for many years collected aluminum pull tabs in support of the Ronald McDonald House. Mary Nell was united in marriage to W. Dean Anderson on October 10, 1953, in Columbus, OH, where Dean was stationed in the US Air Force. Over the years, the couple lived in Elkhorn and Greendale, WI; and Forrest Park, Clarendon Hills, St. Charles, and Sleepy Hollow, IL, before moving back to Delavan in 1982. They also spent several winters in southern TX.
Mary Nell is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dean; children, Timothy W. (Patricia) Anderson, of Fort Collins, CO, and Karen (Daniel) Bernick, of Long Grove, IA; grandchildren, Brandon Anderson, of Muskego, WI, Brittney Anderson, of Milwaukee, James and Jon Anderson, of San Francisco, and Hope Bernick, of Long Grove, IA; her brother, William James (Linda) Patterson, of Columbus, OH; sister-in-law, Betty Schalmo, of Delavan; brother-in-law, Chuck Anderson, of San Benito, TX; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Mary Nell is preceded in death by her parents; and her oldest son, Richard Dean.
Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 22, 2015, at Delavan United Church of Christ – Congregational. Visitation will be held from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to the Friends of Aram Library c/o Aram Library, Delavan, or United Church of Christ Scholarship Fund, 123 E. Washington Street, Delavan.
