Obituary for Edith Reinhilde Anderson
Edith Reinhilde Anderson, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother of Lakemoor, IL died on December 25, 2020 at the age of 88. The last few months she was alive, she battled her ailing body with the same strength and resilience that she lived her life. But in the end, COVID-related complications robbed her of her time on Earth.
She is survived by her three children, Rose (Bob), Rich (Sandy) and Ron (Liz), her seven grandchildren, Mark, Renee, Ryan, Morgan, Adam, Kevin and Kurt and her six great grandchildren, Kaley, Jake, Elliana, Nia, Agnes and Dash and her loving niece, Sue.
Born in Kaufbeuren, Germany in 1932, Edith came to the United States as a brighteyed 17-year-old with big dreams and a new husband. In 1949, she met Joseph Kuchnia, a Polish soldier who had joined the Polish Guard of the American Army during WWII and remained stationed in Germany after the war. They wed after just a few months, leaving Germany and settling in Chicago. Edith became an American citizen in 1954.
Edith and Joseph had three wonderful children together before parting ways. Edith went on to marry the love of her life, Robert Anderson. She worked her way up the ranks at Handy Button Machine Company before retiring in 1995 to spend more time doing the things she loved, like spending time with family and travelling. She
and Robert visited all 48 of the lower states together, and also traveled home to Germany and Switzerland a few times where family still remain.
Food was a big part of Edith’s life. Not only did she make a mean homemade spätzle, but she loved German food and a good restaurant or delicatessen like the best of them. Eating out was her favorite date, and food was often the way she showed love—whether making a homemade meal or treating someone to one.
She was a straight shooter with good common sense, a sharp wit and an impressive golf game! If prompted to do so, she could tell the most interesting stories about her life in Germany and raising her three children.
She didn’t grow up with much “stuff” and neither did her own children, and maybe that’s the reason for her love of collecting later in life. Lifelike dolls, Christmas décor, fabulous jewelry or other memorable tchotchkes…all piqued her interest.
Her family will forever cherish the “things” she passed on to them, along with the intangibles that can’t be so easily seen—grit, determination and a healthy dose of soul. Edith was tough on the outside, but warm & loving on the inside.
Perhaps one of the saddest parts of her passing—aside from knowing we will never see her again—is the fact that, in life, she seemed invincible. Or as she would have put it, “I’m a stubborn old kraut, ya know.”
We know, Grandma/Mom. We know.
Family is holding a Celebration of Life at the Steinke-Laraczyk Family Funeral Home (515 Center Street,
Lake Geneva) on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 from 5-7 pm. Steinke-Lazarczyk Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lake Geneva, WI is also proudly serving the family.
She is survived by her three children, Rose (Bob), Rich (Sandy) and Ron (Liz), her seven grandchildren, Mark, Renee, Ryan, Morgan, Adam, Kevin and Kurt and her six great grandchildren, Kaley, Jake, Elliana, Nia, Agnes and Dash and her loving niece, Sue.
Born in Kaufbeuren, Germany in 1932, Edith came to the United States as a brighteyed 17-year-old with big dreams and a new husband. In 1949, she met Joseph Kuchnia, a Polish soldier who had joined the Polish Guard of the American Army during WWII and remained stationed in Germany after the war. They wed after just a few months, leaving Germany and settling in Chicago. Edith became an American citizen in 1954.
Edith and Joseph had three wonderful children together before parting ways. Edith went on to marry the love of her life, Robert Anderson. She worked her way up the ranks at Handy Button Machine Company before retiring in 1995 to spend more time doing the things she loved, like spending time with family and travelling. She
and Robert visited all 48 of the lower states together, and also traveled home to Germany and Switzerland a few times where family still remain.
Food was a big part of Edith’s life. Not only did she make a mean homemade spätzle, but she loved German food and a good restaurant or delicatessen like the best of them. Eating out was her favorite date, and food was often the way she showed love—whether making a homemade meal or treating someone to one.
She was a straight shooter with good common sense, a sharp wit and an impressive golf game! If prompted to do so, she could tell the most interesting stories about her life in Germany and raising her three children.
She didn’t grow up with much “stuff” and neither did her own children, and maybe that’s the reason for her love of collecting later in life. Lifelike dolls, Christmas décor, fabulous jewelry or other memorable tchotchkes…all piqued her interest.
Her family will forever cherish the “things” she passed on to them, along with the intangibles that can’t be so easily seen—grit, determination and a healthy dose of soul. Edith was tough on the outside, but warm & loving on the inside.
Perhaps one of the saddest parts of her passing—aside from knowing we will never see her again—is the fact that, in life, she seemed invincible. Or as she would have put it, “I’m a stubborn old kraut, ya know.”
We know, Grandma/Mom. We know.
Family is holding a Celebration of Life at the Steinke-Laraczyk Family Funeral Home (515 Center Street,
Lake Geneva) on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 from 5-7 pm. Steinke-Lazarczyk Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lake Geneva, WI is also proudly serving the family.