Hildegarde T. “Hilda” Anderson, 97, died March 9, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, ND. Her funeral Mass will be 11:00 AM, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at St. Catherine Catholic Church, Valley City. There will be visitation at the Lerud Mathias Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a time set for sharing memories of Hilda and Cubby beginning at 7:00. The Mass will be live streamed then archived on her tribute page along with her obituary at www.lerudmathias.com
Hilda was born May 4, 1924, to Herman and Josephine (Kurray) Eberle on their family farm east of Dazey, ND near St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Hilda’s main focus was always on education; first her own, then that of her students. Hilda graduated from St Catherine’s High School in 1941 and then went on to earn her 2-year teaching degree at Valley City State University, graduating in 1943. Hilda worked hard for her education, earning her room and board by working for the families she stayed with and had part time jobs for spending money while in Valley City.
Hilda taught at Hannaford, Oriska and Edgeley schools before returning to Valley City State University in 1952 where she graduated with a 4-year teaching degree in 1954. Hilda owned her own car while teaching in Edgeley but sold it to pay for tuition and fees. After graduation, Hilda taught at Carrington until her marriage.
Hilda married Vernon “Cubby” Anderson Oct 22, 1955, at St Mary’s Catholic Church. They lived in Valley City over the winter before moving into a house in Leal, ND where they raised their family and lived for 30 years. In addition to teaching in Leal and substituting at North Central and Wimbledon, Hilda worked with Cubby in the farming operation. Among other tasks, Hilda operated one of the combines during harvest.
Hilda was active in the St Boniface Catholic Church in Wimbledon as well as in the Leal community. She was on the School Reorganization Board and was proud of her contributions to education in a way different from teaching. Hilda was always busy. She kept a large garden, canning and freezing many quarts of vegetables and fruits to feed her family. She also created quilts for the family and tried new crafts for decorating and gifts.
Hilda enjoyed traveling. Before her marriage, she traveled to visit relatives in Oregon and took a bus trip across the eastern United States. Later, with Cubby and her children Hilda took family vacations in the car. She and Cubby also made several trips on their own to Europe to visit their relatives. They were definitely “snowbirds”, usually traveling around the southern states during the winter and later staying in Florida, Arizona, and Alabama to escape the cold.
Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Josephine Eberle, her son, Kent Anderson, her husband, Vernon Anderson and her siblings, Herman, Rudy and Albrecht Eberle and Irma (Neil) Ludwig.
She is survived by her son Dan (Anne) Anderson, her daughter Gail Anderson, and her grandchildren Jon Anderson, Mike Anderson, and Taylor Sorensen.
Hilda was a loving wife and mother, yet always remained a strong and independent woman. She was loved and will be missed.
The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City is assisting Hilda’s family with arrangements.