Linda Kohler Anderson

Linda Kohler Anderson, age 66, died peacefully on March 2, 2005, at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. Her death resulted from a ruptured brain aneurysm. She had been a resident of Lake Bluff, Illinois, since 1985.

Linda was known as a gracious and generous woman, with an independent spirit, a sharp wit, and an infectious intellectual curiosity. She was born on February 6, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa, and raised in Quincy, Illinois. She was the only child of Irving and Lillian Lohr Karger.

Linda graduated from Quincy Senior High School and went on to earn a B.A. degree in theater, graduating cum laude in 1961 from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. She acted in and directed major theater productions on campus and in her hometown, was involved in a wide range of college positions and activities, and was awarded several honors, among them "Outstanding Pi Beta Phi Woman in Illinois."

In 1961, Linda married Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., now chairman and CEO of Kohler Co. After several years on the East Coast, the couple moved to Kohler, Wisconsin. She raised three children -- Laura, Rachel, and David Kohler -- and savored her role as "general all-purpose mother" until the day she died.

Linda was also deeply committed to service to her community and to Wisconsin for more than twenty years. As executive director of the Kohler Foundation, Inc., she effectively led programs as diverse as scholarships, grants, the Distinguished Guest (performance) Series, and the Waelderhaus historic site. Together with another foundation member, she initiated what has become the foundation's largest program: the preservation of folk architecture and works by self-taught artists. In addition, she served on both corporate and other civic boards in the area: Citizen's Bank of Sheboygan, Sheboygan County YMCA, and Friendship House, among others.

Education was also a priority for Linda. Her talents were well applied in serving on the Kohler Board of Education for thirteen years including a term as president. She was an equally dedicated member of the Board of Directors of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and volunteered as the performing arts coordinator and director of two theater ensembles for teens.

Beyond the local community, Linda was active on the boards of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, American Players Theatre, Knox College, Carthage College, and the Wisconsin History Foundation. She was a member of the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Council of Associates-Wisconsin Foundation of Independent Colleges. She served as state fund-raising co-chair for the Old World Wisconsin project, now a major open-air museum of the Wisconsin Historical Society. While a member of Sheboygan's Town and Country Garden Club, she became a Zone XI Chair for the Garden Club of America.

In 1985, Linda married Roger Anderson, retired chairman and CEO of Continental Illinois Bank, and moved to Lake Bluff, Illinois. She became involved in leadership roles in her church, the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, serving as both an elder and chairman of numerous committees. She also continued her interest in other charitable activities. She and Roger enjoyed spending time in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, in particular teaching their grandchildren how to fish.

Linda Kohler Anderson is survived by her husband, Roger Anderson, of Lake Bluff, Illinois. She is also survived by her three children - Laura Kohler (Steve Proudman) of Kohler, Wisconsin, Rachel Kohler (Mark Hoplamazian) of Chicago, Illinois, and David (Nina) Kohler, also of Kohler; her ten grandchildren; Roger Anderson's two children -Blair (Jan) Anderson of Spring Green, Wisconsin, and David Anderson of Juneau, Wisconsin; and Roger's three grandchildren.

Linda's family welcomes friends to a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 12th at the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, 700 North Sheridan Road in Lake Forest, Illinois. The service will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will be followed by a reception. For details, please call 847-234-6250.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be contributed to the endowment the family is creating at Knox College. Details can be provided by Janet Albert at 309-341-7752. An endowment in Linda's name has also been created at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, 920-458-6144.

Linda left an indelible imprint in the communities in which she lived, leaving a legacy of commitment to civic betterment and to family. Perhaps most important, she inspired her children, her friends, and colleagues in their own personal and professional lives.

And the next time you read a good book, go fishing, or take on a project in your community, think of Linda.