Iris Anderson

1932 - 2026

Iris Helen Anderson was born on October 3, 1932 to Benjamin and Ruth Smithers. She passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026 after a short stay at the Milaca Elim Home.

She graduated from Princeton High School and worked at the Red Owl grocery store in Princeton. Iris and Dewey enjoyed roller skating at area rinks with friends and were married on June 6, 1953 at the Zion Lutheran Church parsonage in Milaca. They made their home on the Totzke/Anderson family farm in Foreston (Pebble Acres) where they milked Holstein cows, raised pigs and crop farmed throughout their lives. Iris and Dewey were lifelong members and supporters of Zion Lutheran Church.

Iris was a full-time homemaker; however, gardening, farm work and supporting local community organizations such as the 4-H program and the Mille Lacs County Fair kept her days full. Iris and Dewey also enjoyed square dancing and hosting family picnics and holidays/celebrations at their farm. In later years, she worked at the Drive-In in Milaca and enjoyed going to Curves. Even after Dewey's death, Iris continued to maintain a beautiful lawn and took pride in her flowers around the yard. Iris had a special place in her heart for mothers who had twin children. She became a fan of the MN Twins in later years. Watching the MN Twins was a priority for Iris and her day was arranged based on when they were playing.

Survivors include her children Sandra (Bill) Herzog of Hugo, MN, Dale (Lisa) Anderson of Burnsville, MN, Dean (Cindy) Anderson of St. Cloud, MN, Brian (Lori) Anderson of Lester Prairie, MN. Grandchildren include: Carissa (Jeff) Roach, Derrick (Laura) Anderson, Darren (Kelsey) Anderson, Nathan (Jordan) Anderson, Steven (Hope) Anderson, Justin (Cameron) Anderson and Elizabeth Anderson. Her great grandchildren were extra special and she was blessed with five new great grandchildren in 2025 which now total nine great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Jane Northfield, Ione Puntsack and sister-in-law, Dolores Smithers.

Iris was preceded in death by her parents, husband, in-laws (Alfred and Marie Anderson) and the following siblings and brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-laws: Kathleen (Orville) Burke, Thomas (Carol) Smithers, Ralph Smithers, Violet (Ken) Brisson, Edward Puntsack, Dorothy (Clifton) Anderson, Ray (Ellyn) Anderson and Ardis (Fred) von Fischer.

Iris will be remembered as a proud and strong woman. She continued to live independently at the farm until 2022 when she moved into an apartment.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church in Milaca. Interment will follow at Milo Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4 - 6 PM Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Peterson-Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca and continue one hour prior at the church on Friday.

The family thanks the Milaca Elim Home for the compassionate care given to Iris.