GOLDEN VALLEY, MN (February 8, 2012) – Funeral services will be conducted for former Evangelical Covenant Church missionary Irene (Johnson) Anderson, 88, at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Covenant Village of Golden Valley. She died last Friday.
Anderson was born March 31, 1923, in Omaha, Nebraska. She earned her associate’s degree at North Park College and nursing degree at the University of Nebraska.
She married Philip Anderson on August 31, 1946. He preceded her in death in 2000.
In 1957, the couple began their missionary service in Indonesia where they ministered to the needs of an independent national church consisting of 350,000 members. Less than a year after arriving, violence in their area forced the Andersons to evacuate. Several months later, they were able to resume their medical and educational work in another part of the country. Ultimately, they served three terms in Indonesia.
Covenant News Service will publish additional information as it becomes available.
Irene and Phil were supported partially by First Covenant Church, Jamestown, NY. When they were in Indonesia, my Mom was head of the Women’s Missionary Society who regularly collected money for special projects that they needed. I can remember how excited we all were when the Andersons visited our church. Phill’s parents, two tall, elderly, faithful Christians and Covenanters were members of First Covenant and I have a vague memory of their regular presence at church while I was growing up. I had the privilege of visiting with Phil and Irene at Covenant Village before he passed away and have seen Irene at Salem Covenant where she attended as long as she could.
They were both God’s dedicated servants. Peace to their memory.
The Andersons are a couple for whom I have had great respect since I first learned of their work in Indonesia. God bless you, family, as you remember Mother and Grandmother.