Longtime Homer and Anchor Point resident, Edna Anderson, 86, died Monday, July 20, 2009, with her family by her side at Friendship Terrace in Homer. Funeral services were held Friday, July 24, 2009, at The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints in Homer. Graveside services followed at the Hickerson Memorial Cemetery.

Edna was born June 25, 1923, in Albuquerque, N.M. She was born to Kelsey Presley and Sadie Pitt Presley; she was one of nine children, three boys and six girls, all of whom proceeded Edna in death. She was raised on a ranch at Crown Point, N.M., and attended school in Gallup, N.M. On April 14, 1948, she married Elton Merle Anderson. Elton worked in the oil fields of Colorado and New Mexico earlier in their marriage, but most of the time they lived on the Navajo Reservation with Elton running trading posts. In 1959, Edna moved to Alaska with her husband and four children along with a brother, two sisters and two nephews and their families. They all lived in Ninilchik the first year in Alaska. Edna and Elton got the first grazing lease in the state of Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula.

They moved their family up on the North Fork, out of Anchor Point and built a cabin and started raising cattle. It was a hard life, but Edna loved it. In 1962, the family increased with the birth of their son Jim. Edna and Elton had five children. Edna was always involved in the community in one capacity or the other, from 4-H with her children, the Farm Bureau, working in the Genealogy Library for her church or working with youth groups. Edna always had a smile and encouraging word for all she met.

Edna’s husband died in 1995, at which time she went into partnership with her son David in his elk business. She later sold the ranch to David and his wife, Patti. In 1996 Edna served an 18-month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in South Carolina. She returned from her mission and continued to live on the ranch until 2004; she spent a year and a half with her son Andy and his wife, Laurie, in Washington helping with their children while Andy traveled with his work. In September of 2006, Edna moved back to Homer. She rented an apartment in Homer and joined one of the local gyms, volunteered at the chamber of commerce and continued to work at the Genealogy Library. In November of 2008 Edna suffered a stroke and moved into assisted living at the Friendship Terrace in Homer, where she was living at the time of her death. When her family moved to Alaska she was one of the first members of the LDS Church in Homer, and started having home church with Arva Carroll and her children. She has taught children, teenagers and adults in many callings that have been extended to her over the years.

Edna knew how to play; however, she was the happiest when she was working hard or serving others.

Edna lived a full and rich life, leaving behind five children, sons Jerry and wife Sally of Dora, Mo.; Andy and wife Laurie of Amboy, Wash.; David and wife Patti of Homer; Jim and wife Jodi of Akin, S.C.; and daughter Joyce Turkington and husband Alan of Homer. Edna leaves behind 23 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren with two on the way. Edna was involved in service all her life. Her first love was to the Lord and her family. real money slot machines for mobile phones android