LaWanda (Carroll) Anderson

LaWanda Carroll Anderson, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2024, at Decatur Memorial Hospital at the age of 92.

LaWanda was born July 27, 1932, in Oconee to parents Iola Fern (Craig) and Carmen Carroll. On August 31, 1952, she married the love of her life, Dean Lee Anderson, and they shared 62 wonderful years together until his passing in 2014.

LaWanda farmed and worked at Anderson Oil Company along with Dean, and raised their daughters, Diane and Catherine. LaWanda and Dean loved playing cards or dominos every day at breakfast. They hosted AFS student Grace Cuadrado from Treinta y Tres, Uruguay during the 1971-72 school year. LaWanda was a member of United Methodist Church, Eastern Star and Thrifty Club.

Together, LaWanda and Dean embraced a life full of adventure and companionship. They spent their winters in Florida from 1981 until Dean’s passing in 2014, creating cherished memories in the sunshine. LaWanda would continue to winter in Florida through 2022. The couple also traveled internationally on farm tours and enjoyed countless bus trips with friends, forming lifelong bonds along the way.

In addition to her parents and husband, LaWanda was preceded in death by brothers Cecil Carroll, James Carroll, Russell Carroll, Charles Carroll, Rex Carroll and Lynn Carroll, sisters Ruth Handley, Imogene Foster, Mary Ann Carroll and Sandi Gaskin, and sister-in-law Norma Anderson McCullers.

LaWanda is survived by children Diane Anderson (John Sweitzer) of Champaign, Catherine Anderson of Tampa, Florida, and Grace Cuadrado-Vielguth (Dick Vielguth) of Edina, Minnesota and their children, Sofia and Pablo; brother Edward Carroll of Albany, Indiana, and many Carroll and Anderson nieces and nephews who will forever hold her memory close. 

Visitation for LaWanda will be Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 10 am until noon at Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis.

Funeral services will follow with burial at Nokomis Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Ronald McDonald House.

Online condolences can be left at stiehldawsonfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of LaWanda (Carroll) Anderson, please visit our floral store.