Dennis A. Anderson

Dennis Allen Anderson, age 67, of Elburn, passed away Wednesday, September 8, 2010, due to complications of Mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.BORN: He was born February 1, 1943 in Geneva, IL, the son of Sten and Margie (Allen) Anderson. EARLY YEARS:Dennis grew up in Elburn on a dairy farm. He attended local schools and graduated from Kaneland High School in 1961. Later he attended Eastern Illinois University. MILITARY: Dennis entered the United States Army in 1966. Stationed in Germany, he proudly served his country for two years. MARRIAGE: Dennis and Leona met in Copenhagen, Denmark and had their first date in Tivoli Gardens. Dennis and Leona were married on July 5, 1969 at Grace Lutheran Church in Lily Lake. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life in a home south of Elburn and spent the next forty-one years making their house a home and memories with each passing day. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Dennis worked for several years for Jewel Food Stores. Later he worked for the Kane County Department of Transportation until his retirement. MEMBERSHIPS: Dennis was a faithful and lifelong member of the Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake. He also was a forty year member of the Elburn American Legion, Post #630, and a member of the Elburn Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. In addition, he served on the board of trustees for the Town and Country Public Library in Elburn. LIFE NOTES: Dennis was immensely proud of his Swedish heritage and had a special place in his heart for all things Swedish, including his large collection of "Dala" horses. He made several trips to return to his roots and visit family in Sweden. Dennis especially enjoyed getting together with friends to get the latest "scoop" at the local restaurants/ coffee shops in Elburn. He was a "people person", able to make friends wherever he went. Many of them became more than friends; they were "family". SURVIVORS: He is survived by his loving wife of forty-one years, Leona;Two sisters:Stena Warne of Mesa, AZ and Donna Grimes of Belvidere, IL; Nephews: Gideon Warne and Lowell Dean OrangerNieces: Tena Simpson, Kimberly Lang, and Shauna PenaGreat nieces and nephews and many friends.PRECEDED:He is preceded in death by his parents. VISITATION / FUNERAL A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake. Rev. Ernst Rex, pastor of the church, will officiate. Private family interment will follow at a later date. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake or the International Mesothelioma Program. Checks may be made to the "Dennis A. Anderson Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday October 2, 2010 at Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake. Rev. Ernst Rex, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Private family interment will follow at a later date.