Lavern J. Anderson

LaVern J. Anderson, nee Nenninger, 86, of Mascoutah, IL, born Nov. 13, 1926 in Mascoutah, IL, died Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 at her residence.


LaVern was a retired Kindergarten teacher from Tuscola, Illinois School District after 26 years of teaching. She and her husband also owned and operated Anderson Department Stores in Tuscola, Vandalia and Hillsboro, IL. She attended Elmhurst College from 1946-1947; McKendree College from 1948 and 1949; taught Hillsboro Community School Kindergarten from 1950 to 1955. She was a prototype for the Kindergarten Accreditation for the State of Illinois.


LaVern was a lifelong member St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah where she set up the Kindergarten Program while attending college; the Women’s Guild; Hearts in Service; Missions Ministry; Volunteers in Care Giving; member of the Eastern Star; Mascoutah Chamber of Commerce, and “Woman of the Year “; member of the Red Hat Society; charter member of the Mascoutah Historical Society; and was the great granddaughter of the Kiel’s, whose historical log cabin was moved to a site in Mascoutah’s Scheve Park. She was instrumental in the renovation of the Espenschied Chapel in Mascoutah and organized several fund raisers for the chapel; she went on mission trips to Ecuador and raised funds for the girl’s scholarship fund; and was involved in fundraising for Hoyleton Ministries. She was an avid Cardinal fan, bridge player; enjoyed square dancing, golfing, antiquing, and a collector of many things.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter W. and Olivia, nee Schubert, Nenninger; her husband, G. Ted Anderson who she married in Mascoutah, IL on July 30, 1950 and who died Mar. 6, 1993.

She is survived by a daughter, LaRene (Thomas) McHugh of Kansas City, MO; a son, G. Trent Anderson of Holiday Island, AR; four grandchildren, Tiffany Ann Anderson of Champaign, IL, Capt. Ryan Thomas (Andrea) McHugh of Fort Hood, Killeen, TX, Whitney Claire Anderson of Eureka Springs, AR, and Granville Taylor Anderson of Holiday Island, AR.

Memorials may be made to Ecuador Partnership; or St. John United Church of Christ; or Hoyleton Ministries.


Visitation: Visitation is from 4 to 8 PM, Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL, and from 11 AM to 12 noon on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at St. John United Church of Christ, Mascoutah, IL.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013 at St. John United Church of Christ, Mascoutah, IL with the Rev. Hugh Fitz officiating. Burial will be in Mascoutah City Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.