Norma R. Anders, age 88, longtime Oak Harbor resident, died at home in Oak Harbor, on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, following a long productive life.

Mrs. Anders was born on September 10, 1924, in Lake Mills, Iowa, to Joseph and Agnes Peterson. She graduated from Forest City High School in Forest City, Iowa, and went on to nursing school at the University of Iowa. While at the university she met her future husband Elwood Anders who was in training at the school.

Norma Peterson became Norma Anders on June 10, 1945, in Iowa City, Iowa. The couple moved to Corpus Christi, Tex, on the navy base. After her husband was discharged from the navy, they moved to Camden, NJ and then to Stratford, NJ. She had two children, Jon and Paul, who were raised in Stratford. She raised a family with her husband and had a career at the Atlantic and Pacific Tea company. She was the bookkeeper and essential to the smooth running of the store. When both retired they moved to Oak Harbor, Wash. in 1983.

While in Oak Harbor, they became members of Family Bible Church. Norma enjoyed attending church Bible studies and groups. She was a member of the church’s choir and enjoyed praising the Lord. Counted cross stitch became her main hobby and she became an expert, as those who have seen her work can testify. She enjoyed laughing and talking with her friends. Her sister Jan Van Dam was her constant companion; they were a great support to one another.

Norma is survived by her sons, Jon Anders of Voorhees, NJ and Paul Anders and wife Ellen of Collierville,TN; her sister Jan Van Dam and husband Mike of Oak Harbor and brother John Peterson of Spokane; two granddaughters, Kristin Danaher and husband Brett of Austin, TX and Kelly Bojar and husband Mike of CA; two great-grandsons, Austin Munns and Hudson Bojar and great-granddaughter Addie; also, a close friend, Carol Marris of Blackwood, NJ. She was preceded in death by her husband Elwood on March 19, 2008, and by two sisters, Jean Edgerton and Dorothy Holtan.

A Private Family Graveside will be at Maple Leaf Cemetery, followed by a Memorial Service Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 2:00 PM, at Family Bible Church, Pastor Ron Lawler officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Northwest, 819 S. 13th St., Mt. Vernon, WA 98274, or the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 322 N. Lauderdale Ave., Memphis, TN 38105. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.