Myrna J. Anderson

Myrna Janine Anderson, 85, of Knoxville, IA, passed away Monday, January 15, 2024. She was born February 12, 1938 in Marion County, IA, the daughter of the late Charles Henry and Vera (May) Anderson.  

After Myrna graduated from Knoxville High School in 1956, she went on to study at Parsons College for a year, where she was the drum majorette - a role she started at Knoxville High and was very proud of. And yes, she taught all of her girls to twirl a baton. 
Myrna left school to start a family in 1957 and went on to have 6 children. A mom by day, Myrna created an upholstery shop in her basement when the kids were young and, accompanied by her mom, grew the endeavor into a thriving business where she not only worked on furniture but re-upholstered car seats, bus seats, and boat interiors. Some of her kids' favorite memories are helping make buttons and learning to sew in their basement. 

Once the kids were in school, Myrna worked at the VA Hospital in Knoxville as a ward clerk. Her work ethic and attention to detail helped her excel in the hospital setting and by the time she retired in 1997, she was the Assistant Chief of the hospital. She loved the VA and its patients, often allowing her kids to accompany her to work to learn about her job. Many times, she would encounter a patient in the community and assist them back to the facility, knowing their name and being a safe person to help them "home".  

Myrna volunteered in many capacities in her community - serving as a volunteer on Pleasantville EMS, a bus driver for Pleasantville ISD, a Boy Scout leader, and a Girl Scout leader. Her house was always open to family and friends. She loved baking, canning, gardening, and sewing - and she was always on point to prepare the potato salad for the annual May family reunions at Auld Park. 

Myrna was predeceased by her son, Greg Anthony, and her brother, Charles Anderson. She is survived by 5 children, Todd Vrban (Heather), Janee Anderson, Tanja Anderson Obennoskey (Michael), Christi Vrban, and Marci Allen (Henry); 6 grandchildren, Tyler Vrban, Lauren Gillett (DJ), Brean Haylock, Riley Boland, Reece Boland, and Rayne Boland; 2 great-grandchildren, Cash Pollard and Nora Gillett; her sister, Merribell Visser; her sister-in-law, Edythe Anderson; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

A Celebration of Life will be held virtually on February 12, 2024, at 2 pm. To attend, please join the Facebook group "Myrna Anderson Celebration of Life". Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org.