Marjorie B. Anderson

Marjorie B. Anderson (nee Raglin)
Age 92, of Orland Park, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014 at her home. She was born in Monmouth, IL to the late Frank B. and Ruby B. (nee Miller) Raglin and sister of the late Orpha Raglin Welke. Beloved wife of Arthur R. Anderson; Loving mother of her adopted son James T. (Darlene) Coffey; Cherished grandma of James T. Coffey Jr, Ashley Christine Coffey and Meagan Kelsey Coffey; numerous cousins also survive. She worked mainly as a teacher in Crystal Lake, however, she returned to her farm in Monmouth for business and family visiting often enough to be called a part-time neighbor. With a lifelong interest in flying, at the age of 20 she earned her private pilot's license. Hoping to make a career in the field of aviation, she added a commercial license and a sea rating. Realizing the limited field for women in aviation at the time, she became a high school teacher keeping aviation as a high-interest avocation. She was an active member of the Ninety-Nines, and the International Organization of Women Pilots. Participating in both Midwest and transcontinental cross country races, she won numerous awards. Her greatest satisfaction came in mentoring eager young women pilots with encouragement and with scholarships, today seeing many of these flying the airlines as once had been her own dream. She was a graduate of Western Illinois and the University of Nevada. Her teaching career began in Ohio, Illinois, then in Crystal Lake, and also in Schweinfurt, Germany. While in Germany, she married her American fiancé Arthur Anderson in the small country Lutheran Church in Bygstad, Norway where he had been confirmed as a boy. Both being avid travelers, they toured Europe to the Arctic and the Antarctic, once teaching workshops in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. Together, they enjoyed 40 years on the slopes as downhill skiers. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of New Lenox, IL and the American Association of University Women. Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel 102 E. Francis Rd, New Lenox, IL 60451 on Saturday, December 27, 2014 for a Memorial Visitation from 10:00AM until time of Memorial Service at 12:00 Noon. Final resting place will be in Monmouth Cemetery, Monmouth, IL.