Brenda Lynn Anderson

Brenda Lynn Anderson, age 71, of Elburn, fought her final battle on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at Delnor Hospital, Geneva, IL.
She was born to proud parents, Cecil and Helen (Schilling) Runkle, on October 1, 1945.
Brenda grew up in Sugar Grove, IL, and attended local schools. She graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1963. Before receiving her diploma, Brenda made a name for herself as a cheerleader, played clarinet in the band, participated in several clubs and was crowned both Homecoming and Prom Queen.
She furthered her education at Elgin Community College where she concentrated on business, but returned to school after her daughter was grown and graduated with a nursing degree from Waubonsee Community College in 1984.
Brenda and Gene Anderson knew each other in high school, but love didn’t bloom until a few years later when their two hearts became one on June 10, 1967. They began their new life together in Skokie and Niles for about a year before moving to Batavia. Ten years of memories later, they moved once more to a home they built in Elburn.
Brenda began her working career as a secretary at Kaneland High School before taking turns at both Farmers Insurance and Allis-Chalmers. After she obtained her RN, Brenda was employed by several local pediatricians. No one kept the office in tip top shape like Brenda, and her bedside manner belied her tender heart. Her battle with diabetes took a toll on her health and eventually she had to lay down her stethoscope in late 1989.
Brenda was a faithful member of the Congregational Church of Batavia and the Elburn Community Congregational Church for many years.
Brenda hands were never idle. She was an exceptional artist whose oil paintings graced the walls of her home and even managed to sell a few pieces. When she wasn’t elbow deep in paint, her hands were adept at needle and thread and even taught sewing for a time. Brenda was no slouch in the kitchen either. Her baked goods were the envy of many and she never stopped learning, always buying cookbooks and watching cooking shows on T.V. Whether it was breads, cookies or pies, her dishes were always blue ribbon worthy. When her daughter was young, Brenda was a softball coach and leader of her children’s choir as well as the bell choir. Sunday mornings found her in front of the class, teaching the kids about the bible, but all bets were off in the evenings when she played her favorite card games, like Peanuts and 500. Brenda had a need for speed. It didn’t matter whether she was behind the wheel of her GTO, the lawn mower or in front of her sewing machine; Brenda put the pedal to the metal. Both she and Gene loved to cut a rug any chance she got, nothing kept them off the dance floor. Her sense of humor could be drier than a dessert, but you never misunderstood her sarcastic salvos if you were the target. Her daughter was light of her life and Brenda never missed an opportunity to cheer her on–that is until her grandkids were born. No one loved their grandkids quite like Brenda.
She is survived by her loving husband of 49 years, Gene Anderson; her daughter, Stephanie (Rob) Stevenson and their two daughters, Lily and Avery Stevenson; Two siblings: Richard (Jeananne) Runkle and Bruce (Marianna) Runkle; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a family of friends that warmed her heart.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Helen Runkle and one son, in infancy, Timothy Scott Anderson.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a funeral service to celebrate her faith to follow at 12 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2016, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. Rev. Dr. Walter Thyng, pastor of the Elburn Community Congregational Church, will officiate with interment to follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Brenda’s name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Brenda Anderson Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

To Follow Visitation at Noon

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a funeral service to celebrate her faith to follow at 12 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2016, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn.