Lucy Rodenberg Anderson, 81, of McGregor, Iowa died Tuesday, February 22, 2022. She was born on May 22, 1940 in Prairie du Chien, Crawford County, Wisconsin to Mary Elizabeth (Valley) Kellogg and Raymond Kellogg. Lucy was born and raised in Prairie du Chien and graduated from the PDC High School in 1957. She married Ben Rodenberg in September 1957 and they lived in the Marquette and McGregor area until they divorced in 1975. Ben moved from the area and died in 1987. Lucy stayed in the area to raise their six children. The Chamber of Commerce awarded Lucy two annual ‘Volunteer of the Year Awards’ and a ‘Superior Volunteer Service Award’ in 2010. She was also honored by the Chamber as Grand Marshal of one of its Parades. In addition, Lucy was awarded the Lena D. Myer Award twice for her work in promoting and preserving McGregor’s history through her writing and other volunteer work.
Lucy remarried to Alvin Anderson and made their home in McGregor, Iowa. Together they had two dogs, Bootz and Odie, which they loved very much. Lucy enjoyed dancing and volunteering her time in the Prairie du Chien Eagles Auxiliary and the Dings-a-lings, a kitchen band that performs at area nursing homes and hospitals. Her interest in history led to the publication of two volumes of ‘Echoes of McGregor’s Past’ and ‘Our Town McGregor (published 2010) and her first efforts of fiction, ‘Stormy Skies over Coulee de Sioux,’ published in 2012 at age seventy-two.
Lucy enjoyed family times and especially getting to know people. She greatly appreciated community members that so willingly and graciously responded to her varied requests for help as she participated in community events and in her writing. Church was an important part of her life and she loved flowers and music, that she felt were two of God’s greatest gifts to us.
Survivors include her husband, Alvin Anderson of McGregor, Iowa; children, Penny Rodenberg, Mark Rodenberg, Brian (Cheryl) Rodenberg and Wendy Ferguson, all of the McGregor area and Clifford (Janelle) Rodenberg, Garnavillo; grandchildren, Greg (Bobby), Amy, Missy (James). Allison (Kevin), Blake (Penny), Tory (Nate), Colby (Marcy), Halle, Wyatt and Gage; ten great-grandchildren, Hailey, Leah, Beauregard, Clyde, Elwood, Roseali, Ryder, Ellie, Blakelee and Katrina; brother, Jack (Darlene) Kellogg of Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin; sister, Rose Mary Uehling of LaCrosse, Wisconsin; and her dogs, Bootz and Odie.
Preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Pearl Judy (Floyd) Olson, Marie (Alan) Whiteaker and Ireta (George) Wilson; brothers, Raymond and Marilyn Kellogg and Laverne Kellogg; infant son, Jeffery and her oldest son, Greggory J. Rodenberg.
Visitation will be Friday, February 25, 2022 from 2-5 pm at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Saturday.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the First Congregational Church in McGregor, Iowa with Rev. William Gentry as the Officiant.
Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, McGregor, Iowa.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.