Barbara B. Anderson

1926 - 2025

Barbara B. Anderson

October 6, 1926 - October 28, 2025

Barbara B. Anderson died peacefully on October 28, 2025, at Clarissa Cook Hospice in Bettendorf, Iowa. Just a few weeks earlier, she had enjoyed a family celebration of her 99th birthday. Barbara was born in Iowa City, IA, on October 6, 1926, to Harry Bollman and Dorothy (Stitt) Bollman and was raised on farms, first near Viola, IL, and then in Rural Township (Coal Valley, IL). She graduated from Orion High School and attended Augustana College. She married Robert L. Anderson from the neighboring farm in 1945 soon after Bob was released from a German prison camp. As an Air Force wife, she lived in various states, until returning to his family farm in 1953. Barbara was active in Rock Island County Home Extension as well as Beulah Church. Raising five children kept her involved in Orion P.T.A. for many years. Once the older children left home, she got her real estate license and served on the Rock Island County Board of Review. After retirement, she and Bob enjoyed being snowbirds in Florida for multiple winters. She stayed active by joining the Rock Island Historical and Genealogy Societies and taking aquatic classes at Black Hawk College.

After Bob died in 2007, her life revolved around church and family. Caregiving was her gift to others. Much of her married life was devoted to caring for her husband with Multiple Sclerosis, and after his death she helped care for other family members. Her last five years were spent at New Perspective in Silvis, IL, where she made many friends. Barbara loved people and as a result, her children often heard the phrase "We just love your mom!" Her legacy is a large close-knit family. She became a second mother to her daughter-in-law, her sons-in-law, and grandsons-in-law. "Grammy Barbara" loved to take trips to visit her grandchildren, and she was delighted with her great-grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by four children, Cheryl (Kent) Yauch of Elmhurst, IL, Linda (Albert) Jovanovic of Grayslake, IL, Tim (Daisy) Anderson of Coal Valley, IL, and Adele (Kirby) Corrick of Burlington, IA; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. A private interment by Esterdahl Mortuary was led by Dr. Reverend Andrew McDonald in Rural Township Cemetery on November 1st.

There will be an opportunity to celebrate her amazing life at a Memorial service on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Beulah Presbyterian Church. The service will take place at 2 p.m., and be followed by an opportunity for fellowship and refreshments. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be sent to Beulah Presbyterian Church, or the Multiple Sclerosis Assoc. of America, or Clarissa Cook Hospice in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Her full obituary can be found online at esterdahl.com.