Elli Christine Anderson

Anderson, Elli Christine Age 12, born in Orlando, Florida January 30, 1995. She died at her Edina home, December 4, 2007, resting peacefully in her wheelchair, her constant companion for the last nine years. She was diagnosed as having Rett Syndrome - a rare disease that comes only to females at birth. There is no cure at this time and very little is known about this birth defect. She was blessed with exceptional parents - Joel and Amy, two sisters, Olivia and Sophie, and one brother, Sawyer. Elli is survived by grandparents, Harvey and Ruth Anderson of San Clemente, CA; Dan and Phyllis Bergan of Watertown, SD; her great- grandmother, Bert Creaser; aunts and uncles, Matt and Kris Anderson and their sons, Noah, Bjorn, Isaac, Oskar; Dave and Nicole Love, and sons Javier and Joshua; Jill Engelhart, and her children Willi and Isabel; Stan and Ann Storm, and their daughters Alex and Sydney; and Ted Bergan. Elli was a beautiful child of God who was never able to walk, talk, or feed herself, yet taught so many things to so many people. She has touched countless lives including many at Christ Presbyterian Church, and the children at the South View Middle School where she attended. We will miss her so. For many of us the Garden Prayer; "not my will, but thine be done" has been the daily prayer for this child. As God gave her to us for a period, He has now taken her back. She was well taken care of here, but now we believe and know that she will be in the hands of her heavenly Father, who deems her so precious that He will love and care for her with the best care. Children who knew Elli often comment that they can't wait to see Elli running and dancing and singing in heaven! We are blessed to have had her in our lives. Visitation is 5-7 PM Monday, December 10, Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel , West 50th St./Vernon Ave. at Hwy 100. Memorial Service in celebration of Elli's life will be held at 4:00 PM Tuesday, December 11 at Christ Presbyterian Church, West 70th and Hwy. 100, Edina. The family prefers memorials to International Retts Syndrome Assn. (IRSA) in loving memory of Elli, c/o Joel & Amy Anderson. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.