Dana Lou Anderson

Dana (90) peacefully passed away Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Kalamazoo. She was born on March 14, 1927 in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph and Pauline (Morrow) Carder and sister of Frank Joseph Carder of Arizona. Dana was preceded in death by Wayne Barlow Anderson, her husband of 65 years. As well as her brother, she is survived by her two sons, David (Teresa) and Mark, and four beloved grandchildren: Heather, Kevin, Thomas, and Jessica. She is also survived by her four nephews: Kevin, Dennis (Melanie), Russell, and Timothy. Shortly after her birth, Dana and her parents moved to Chicago, Illinois where her brother was born. It was in her adored Chicago she met her husband, Wayne. Following the birth of their first son, the family moved to Kalamazoo, MI where their second son was born. With her young sons in elementary school, Dana attended Western Michigan University attaining a Bachelors of Science degree in English in 1965. Dana taught at Spring Valley during the late 1960's. Her enjoyment working with the students there and a love of reading prompted her to continue her education at WMU to earn a Masters of Arts in Education with a focus in reading in 1969. The remainder of her teaching career was in Fennville as a full time substitute teacher and then at Kalamazoo Public Schools as a reading specialist. Dana was an avid letter writer corresponding with numerous friends and family. She kept everyone up to date with the Anderson news and never forgot a birthday, wedding anniversary, or other special event. Taking pictures throughout her life filled countless photo albums and added extra memories to her letters. Dana loved singing in the choir at Milwood Methodist Church and later at the First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo. A shared passion with Wayne saw them buying a cottage at Eagle Lake, Texas Township where they enjoyed four decades of summer lake living. Watching classic movies and listening to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Yanni delighted her. In the later years of her life, Dana enjoyed her exercise bike and bird watching. Dana was an active member of the Asylum Lake Preservation Association. Cremation has taken place. Friends may visit with the family from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, August 27th at the Willow Lake Clubhouse, Parkview Hills (3707 Greenleaf Circle, Kalamazoo, MI 49008). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kalamazoo Nature Center or Hospice of Southwest Michigan.