Eleanor Joy (Shafer) Anderson

Eleanor Joy Shafer Anderson, 92, of Red Wing, MN, died in peace Sunday afternoon, December 12, 2010 under hospice care at Fairview Seminary Home, Red Wing. Eleanor, the daughter of James and Maud (Hawley) Shafer, was born in South Texas and grew up on a Rio Grande valley farmstead in San Benito, Texas.
Eleanor attended Brownsville Junior College in Brownsville, TX and graduated from Texas State College for Women in Denton, TX with a degree in Library Science. Eleanor began her career in radio in the early 1940s with an on-air program featuring popular jazz music of the day. She later worked for KSD Radio in St. Louis, MO. In St. Louis, she met Herman "Andy" Anderson. They married in San Benito in January, 1947. They first lived in Northfield, MN, and then moved to Dixon, IL, where they raised five children.
In Dixon, she taught high school English before becoming the high school librarian. When she retired in 1981, she became even more involved in the First Presbyterian Church, the Phidian Club, a writing group, P.E.O., edited a family newsletter and wrote a weekly column for a local newspaper.
In 1998, Eleanor and Andy moved to Red Wing where they resided at The Downtown Plaza and were members of the First Presbyterian Church. She continued her involvement with the local P.E.O. chapter, participated in a weekly book group, volunteered to organize the library at the Plaza, contributed to the Plaza newsletter and served on the Resident Council.
Eleanor was a constant reader and a gifted writer. Elegance permeated her prose, poetry, and spoken word. Those lucky enough to have been close to her were humbled for the privilege.
Eleanor is survived by her brother, James (Jean) Shafer, Lubbock, TX; her children, Rae Anderson Landesberg, Red Wing; Robert (Susan) Anderson, Fergus Falls, MN; Thomas (Clare) Anderson, Elmhurst, IL; Margaret (Douglas) Hipple, Hager City, WI; and Elizabeth (Brian) Bowman, Palmdale, CA. She dearly loved and was proud of her four grandchildren, Cate Anderson, Eric Anderson, Allison Hipple, and Drew Hipple, and several nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her cat, Minute, her longtime companion.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Andy, and nephews Jack Shafer and Gordon Anderson. The family will gather for a private service. Memorials are preferred to First Presbyterian Church or the Humane Society of Goodhue County.