Elizabeth Anderson

Elizabeth (Rathje) Anderson, age 96, passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, February 12, 2015. Her life was defined by grace, kindness, and the loving care of others. Born at the family farm on Rathje Road in Peotone, she was one of the four daughters of Otto and Margery (Gilkerson) Rathje. Her grandfather was Henry Rathje who built the “Peotone Mill” (located on Corning Rd. in Peotone) and who was one of the founders of the Peotone State Bank. She and her twin sister, Catherine, graduated from Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. Elizabeth is probably best remembered for having worked as the office nurse for Dr. Lloyd Jessen in Peotone for 35 years. In 1940 she married James Anderson who died in 1980. In 1983 she married school classmate Charles “Shadow” Anderson who passed away in 2000.

Elizabeth’s three sisters; Catherine Menser, Marjeanne Johnson, and Joyce Arnstrom, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Robert) Osborne of Davison, MI; two stepchildren, Patricia (Donald) Beutien of Carmel, IN and Russell (Karen) Anderson of Deselm, IL; seven grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Her family is especially thankful for the care provided to Elizabeth by Sofiya Shpay and Hospice of Kankakee Valley.

Visitation will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Peotone, 200 W. Crawford Ave., on Saturday, February 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Jonathan Krogh officiating. Burial will follow at Skyline Memorial Park in Monee. In lieu of flowers, memorials to First Presbyterian Church of Peotone or Helping Hands of Peotone would be appreciated.