Ethel Irene Anderson

August 9, 1911 - June 30, 2018

Ethel Irene (Risa) Anderson was born August 9, 1911 to Severin “Skiv” and Ina Charlotta (Sandin) Risa in Valley City, North Dakota. She graduated from Valley City High School and Valley City State Teachers College. She taught school in Minnewaukan and Hastings, North Dakota. Then, for five years she was secretary to Margaret McCarthy, Superintendent of Training School and Placement Bureau, State Teachers College, Valley City, North Dakota, before teaching for six years (1942-1948) at Fargo Central High School, Fargo, North Dakota. On June 22, 1948, Irene married Melvin Robert Anderson. They made their home in Valley City. Irene often worked in the Register of Deeds office in the Barnes County Court House, in the office of the Elementary Coordinator of Education and did substitute teaching for many years in the Valley City Public School system. She also taught Basic Skills, Title 1 in Oriska, North Dakota. Irene was a member of Valley City Teachers College Pi Chapter, Pi Omega, Pi Honorary Fraternity. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Robert; daughter, Dr. Kalyn Jana Anderson; parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Risa and one sister, Stella (Paul) Anderson. She is survived by her cousin and caregiver, Renee Buckman; her cousins, Esther Bernardy, Eva Snuff, Evelyn Smith and Ellen Simon and her niece Sharon Anderson. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in Valley City or KFNW Radio, 5702 South 52nd Ave., Fargo, North Dakota, 58102.