Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Anita Mae (Sommer) Anderson

ONTONAGON, Mich. — Anita Mae (Sommer) Anderson of Ontonagon passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Westgate Living Center in Ironwood.

Anita was born on Aug. 29, 1931, in Ontonagon, to Edward and Almeda (Soder) Sommer. She graduated from Ontonagon High School in 1949. Anita married Francis Edwin “Ed” Anderson on July 5, 1952. They had 10 children.

Anita worked for Ontonagon Area Schools as a custodian, then as a library assistant, until her retirement. She enjoyed crocheting, playing bingo, visiting the casino, and dancing, especially a polka. In her later years, she was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and Ontonagon United Methodist Church.

Anita is survived by her children, Carol Perander, Jim (Kathy) Anderson, Susie (Eddie) Koski, Richard Anderson, Wendy (Dave) Menzemer, Tim (Sharon) Anderson, June (Will) Rogers, Rebecca (Tim) Oger and Sharon Anderson. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Melissa Picotte, Aaron (Starla) Anderson, Joe (Shena) Anderson, Brett Maki, Jordan Wettberg, Sarah (Peter Karttunen) Anderson, Tyler (Abby) Anderson, Dillon Anderson, Kelli Koski and Olivia Oger; and great-grandchildren Morgan, Jordayne, Jayden, Kadence, Yzabella, Ryker, Aubrey, Olivia, and a baby due this summer.

Anita is further survived by her sister, Phyllis Bailey; brother, George Sommer; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Robert; grandson, Jason Dishaw; and brother, Charlie Sommer.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Westgate for their care of Anita over the last several months.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Ontonagon County Cancer Association, or to the charity of one’s choice.