Louise Irene Anderson (Tastad)

1940 Census shows address as 215 South Duff Street, Mitchell, SD

Louise Irene (Tastad) Anderson

Louise was born in Mitchell, South Dakota, on March 31, 1922. Her parents were George and Minnie (Heintz) Tastad. She had two brothers (Laverne and Harold) and four sisters (M. Darlene, Lola, Maxine and Betty Jane). She grew up in South Dakota but not long after high school, headed for California. On April 10, 1942, she married Maynard Anderson (a man she first met in Mitchell). They were happily married for forth-seven years until Maynard passed away in 1989.

During the war years of the early forties, they spent time in Florida and California while Maynard was in the service. They eventually settled in San Diego until moving into a new home in Lakewood, California in 1952. Shortly thereafter, they joined Trinity Presbyterian Church in Long Beach and then in the mid 1960's they merged in the church family of Community Presbyterian. They were active members for many years; they especially enjoyed singing in the choir and participating in various activities with their Mariners group.

Louise has two children, Ron of Cypress, California and Barbara of Hardin, Kentucky. She also has five grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. She always enjoyed a very close relationship with her entire family over the years and they continue to be a great support network.

She worked as a homemaker and then in 1955, went to work at Butler Brothers in the Lakewood Center Mall; she was a sales clerk in the house-wares department. When Maynard retired from the Santa Fe Railroad in 1975, she followed suit so they could travel around the country. They enjoyed their motor home, family reunions, and the beautiful scenery. Louise always enjoyed dancing to the big band music and country western.

In 1009, when was no longer able to remain at home she became a resident of a skilled nursing facility. They loved Louise because of her great love for music. Even with her rapidly fading memory, she could still recall the words of the old hymns and she just loved to sing along. She was a hit at Karaoke and "rocking out" in her wheelchair whenever she heard the music.

She passed away peacefully at her nursing home in Los Alamitos, California, at the age of eighty-nine. Barbara and Ron were with her until the end.

Although we miss her already, we know she is in a much better place now and enjoying her eternal home. We can only imagine the wonderful family reunion going on in Heaven.