Eleanor Bunting Anderson, 93, of Oskaloosa died Sunday, February 12, 2012, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House. She was born January 10, 1919, near Lacey, in Mahaska County the daughter of Elvie Eli and Hattie Newport Bunting. She played basketball while in high school at Lacey. She graduated as Valedictorian from the Lacey High School with the class of 1937. She attended Murphy School of Business after graduation. On January 30, 1941, she was united in marriage to Roland Anderson in Mahaska County. Eleanor did clerical work at several businesses in Oskaloosa including: Lake Crookham Law Office, Mahaska State Bank, the Oskaloosa Herald, and Carter Steel. She was a member of the Central United Methodist Church and the King's Daughters. She enjoyed playing the piano, traveling, reading, and listening to music, especially big band music.
Her family includes her husband of over 71 years, Roland Anderson of Oskaloosa; a daughter her husband: Cheryl and Geoff Smith of Windsor, Colorado; a son and his wife: Stuart and Carla Anderson of Oskaloosa; three grandchildren: Jessica (& Eric) Howard, Matt (& Wendy) Smith, and Alex Smith; five great grandchildren: Jackson, Peyton, and Emily Howard, and Geoffery and Jacqueline Smith; and a sister and her husband: Jeanne and Frank Graybill of Mesa, Arizona.
She was preceded in death by a granddaughter: Nicole Anderson; three sisters: Vivian Foster, Irene Marshall, and Reba Kiefer; three brothers: Harvey Bunting, Melbourne Bunting, and Vincent Bunting.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 16, 2012, at 1 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa, with Reverend Tom Boomershine officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin after 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 Wednesday evening to greet friends and relatives.