Glenna I. Anderson, 83, passed away on Nov. 30, 2009.
She was born in Osceola, Neb. to Mary and Elton Berck. Glenna was an avid artist and art lover from an early age. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, she married Richard H. Anderson in 1947. They moved to Modesto in 1953, where Richard had accepted a teaching job. Glenna had already begun her teaching career at age 16 in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska, and after moving to California, she taught at the primary level in Modesto. The final 18 years of her public school teaching career were spent at Grace M. Davis High School, where she was affectionately known as Mrs. A. She had a wry sense of humor, evident in some of her artwork as well as in the way she told stories and made one-liner jokes.
Glenna was a lifelong student of art and teacher of art. A locally known artist, Glenna exhibited her artwork at many art shows and won numerous awards over the years. Among the recognition her art has earned are the more than 100 ribbons from competitive shows, including two from National shows: Yosemite Renaissance (1990) and Scottsdale, Ariz. Artists Show (1992). Her portraits of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, which were commissioned by the City of Modesto, can be viewed at the King-Kennedy Center. Glenna won a first place award in the 1997 Orange County Fair Wine Label Competition for her “Grapes and Leaves” label for the Annapolis Winery in Gualala. She was Stanislaus County Artist of the Year in 2003, and was also active for many years in the Central California Art League, serving in many offices. Her artwork has been shown not only in many galleries throughout California, but galleries in Nebraska and Arizona as well. Since 1995, her work has appeared exclusively at Anderson Custom Framing and Gallery in Modesto.
She is survived by her husband, Richard; and sons, Eric and his wife, Laura, of Springville, Utah, Mark and his wife, Margie, of Richmond, Calif. and Carl and his wife, Jane, of Modesto; daughter-in-law, Cindy Anderson (Lynn) and Steve Lauritsen; and granddaughters, Kristen and Kaela Anderson, daughters of Lynn and Cindy.
Her son, Lynn, preceded her in death.
Remembrances may be donated to her favorite charities: Stanislaus Arts Council, Community Hospice, and the Building Fund of the College Avenue Congregational Church.
A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the College Avenue Congregational Church of Modesto. Allen Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements; you may share your memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.
She was born in Osceola, Neb. to Mary and Elton Berck. Glenna was an avid artist and art lover from an early age. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, she married Richard H. Anderson in 1947. They moved to Modesto in 1953, where Richard had accepted a teaching job. Glenna had already begun her teaching career at age 16 in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska, and after moving to California, she taught at the primary level in Modesto. The final 18 years of her public school teaching career were spent at Grace M. Davis High School, where she was affectionately known as Mrs. A. She had a wry sense of humor, evident in some of her artwork as well as in the way she told stories and made one-liner jokes.
Glenna was a lifelong student of art and teacher of art. A locally known artist, Glenna exhibited her artwork at many art shows and won numerous awards over the years. Among the recognition her art has earned are the more than 100 ribbons from competitive shows, including two from National shows: Yosemite Renaissance (1990) and Scottsdale, Ariz. Artists Show (1992). Her portraits of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, which were commissioned by the City of Modesto, can be viewed at the King-Kennedy Center. Glenna won a first place award in the 1997 Orange County Fair Wine Label Competition for her “Grapes and Leaves” label for the Annapolis Winery in Gualala. She was Stanislaus County Artist of the Year in 2003, and was also active for many years in the Central California Art League, serving in many offices. Her artwork has been shown not only in many galleries throughout California, but galleries in Nebraska and Arizona as well. Since 1995, her work has appeared exclusively at Anderson Custom Framing and Gallery in Modesto.
She is survived by her husband, Richard; and sons, Eric and his wife, Laura, of Springville, Utah, Mark and his wife, Margie, of Richmond, Calif. and Carl and his wife, Jane, of Modesto; daughter-in-law, Cindy Anderson (Lynn) and Steve Lauritsen; and granddaughters, Kristen and Kaela Anderson, daughters of Lynn and Cindy.
Her son, Lynn, preceded her in death.
Remembrances may be donated to her favorite charities: Stanislaus Arts Council, Community Hospice, and the Building Fund of the College Avenue Congregational Church.
A memorial service is planned for 4 p.m. on Dec. 19 at the College Avenue Congregational Church of Modesto. Allen Mortuary is entrusted with the arrangements; you may share your memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.
