Lennice Anderson

1917 - 2018

Lennice Charlotte (Blunk) Anderson

October 14, 1917 - March 21, 2018

Lennice was 100 years old and the true matriarch of a large family, all of whom believed they were her favorite. Lennice had a way of making every person she met feel like they were the most important person in the room. Her secret to longevity was that she cared deeply, laughed loudly, and delighted in bringing joy to the people she met throughout her journey.

Born at home in Moorland, IA to Emma Sophia Wilson Blunk and Charles Homer Blunk, Lennice married Donald Edgar Anderson (1913-2002) in Fort Dodge, IA 1938 and had three daughters: Judith Lynn Malinowski (1939-2015), Gail Louise Overaa (1943-2005) and (Christine) Emily Handelman, eight grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Don and Lennice lived in Iowa until 1941, followed by a year in Portland, Oregon, where Don served as a shipbuilder for the WWII effort. In 1942 they moved to Wyvernwood, CA, then to San Gabriel, CA in 1948.

In 1953, Don and Lennice bought a lot in an old avocado and orange orchard in Whittier, CA where they designed and built their own home and raised their three children. Don owned a Ford dealership in Bellflower, CA and Lennice was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, golfing, gardening, bridge, travel, and jewelry design.

The couple retired to San Clemente in 1977 where she became an avid golfer until the age of 75, and an enthusiastic longtime member of the San Clemente Women's Golf Team. She did volunteer work with high school students in Santa Fe Springs and hosted an exchange student from Sweden.

Lennice is predeceased by her brother Kenneth Roy Blunk and Sister Ella Mae McLuckie. She is survived by her daughter Emily (Scott) Handelman of Albany, CA, son-in-law Jerry (Kim) Overaa of Lafayette, CA, son-in-law Mel Malinowski, grandchildren Craig (Gina) Jorasch of Palo Alto, CA, James (Rita) Jorasch of New York, Marta (Glenn) Kenehan of Los Altos, CA, Carl (Jennifer) Overaa of San Anselmo, CA, Kara (Gary) Gragg of Lafayette, CA, Julia (Colby) Powell of Lafayette, CA, Erin (Bryan) Dissman of Lafayette, CA, and Daniel Handelman of Berkeley, CA. Her 19 great-grandchildren are: Sophia, Ethan, and Olivia Jorasch, Bryn and Jack Kenehan, Annika and Eric Overaa, Jared, Alexandria, Arianna, and Carson Gragg, Anna, Lara, Kelly and Lucas Dissman and Isabel, Andrew, Cameron and Ian Powell.