Claryce "Punky" Anderson

Claryce Darlene (Punky) Anderson, 88, of Clay Center, passed away on June 15, 2024.

Claryce was born on October 19, 1935, in Leonardville, to Elizabeth (Wagenrodt) and Laurence Webber. She graduated from Leonardville High School and worked at The Manhattan Mercury.

She married Alvin Anderson on July 21, 1956, and they had 10 children. 

She was an avid homemaker and besides raising 10 kids she raised a huge garden and canned produce to feed their large family, raised hundreds of chickens for butchering and eggs. She was an exceptional baker making the best coconut cream pies, homemade cinnamon rolls, and homemade bread. Claryce was a great seamstress and besides sewing many clothes she loved to do sewing crafts to take to craft shows. She was a huge KU fan and absolutely did not like purple!

Besides playing, coaching, watching and umpiring men’s, women’s and youth fast pitch, Claryce was an accomplished bowler. Claryce and Alvin umpired fast pitch softball together for several years. She and Alvin spent many, many days and weekends at wrestling matches for their sons and grandsons. They also both enjoyed traveling (to Korea), car trips and several bus trips.

She is survived by her husband Alvin; her children, Kim (Ed) Smith of Derby, Dawn (Scot) Richter of Green, Jay (Lori) Anderson and Laurence Anderson of Clay Center, Johnny (Jan) Anderson of Chapman, Todd Anderson of Clay Center, Jina McLaughlin of Colona, IL, Terry (Nomie) Anderson of Junction City and Troy (DeeDee) Anderson of Clay Center; her sister, Creta Ghrer of San Diego; sister-in-laws Rose Webber of Topeka and Linda Webber of Riley. Her legacy lives on in her 24 Grandchildren, 33 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her infant daughter, Jacalyn Anderson; grandson, Nickolaus Anderson; parents, Elizabeth and Laurence Webber; brothers, Kenneth Webber and Johnny Webber; brother-in-law Grady Ghrer; and son-in-law Dale McLaughlin.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Larson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Green Community Christian Center.  Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.