Karen Dale Anderson

Karen Dale (Robertson) Anderson was born on April 10, 1948, and passed into eternal life on July 16, 2017, at her rural Yuma home with her loved ones near.  She was 69.

Karen was born at Bolling Field Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. She was the second of five children born into the military family of Boyd O. Robertson and Jeweldine (“Jeri”) Elizabeth Warren Robertson. Karen’s father originally served in the Navy, but later made his career in the Air Force, which meant that his family moved often.

Robertsons' five children were each born in  different states.  They are Ernestine ("Teen") Ann,    Karen Dale,    Boydine Elizabeth,   Danny Boyd, and Connie Mae   (who was so named by her sister, Karen).    Karen’s middle name was given to honor her mother's brother,   Dale Warren.

Karen attended grade school in several cities, including Fairfield, California.  She attended junior high in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  When Boyd retired from military service, the family moved to Yuma, where Karen enrolled as a senior at Yuma High School.   She graduated with the class of 1966.   

At different times, she worked at both Yuma drugstores.  At Schmale’s she met a young man in uniform, accompanied by his parents.  In 1967, Larry Dale Anderson returned home from Germany, where he served in the U.S. Army.  He was treated to a soda by his parents, Ralph and Norma Anderson.  It was not love at first sight, but a few months later, the couple began to date.

On Feb. 25, 1968, Karen Dale Robertson and Larry Dale Anderson were married by Rev. Tom Westfall, Sr. at Yuma's Presbyterian Church.  Their reception was held at the home of Bill and Jo Robertson, the bride’s uncle and aunt. 

The young newlyweds settled into the country where they engaged in raising cattle on the Anderson Ranch with his parents.  Karen was a highly valued bride, as the groom had paid the minister for his services with Larry’s prized arrowhead collection!

Karen began marriage with goals of good cooking and immaculate homemaking, which her family still appreciates.  A generous hostess. she was known to vacuum her rugs daily to keep the sandhills outside.  After marriage she worked at Kitzmiller’s Drug Store, and later at a hobby shop together with her mom.  She learned to macramé, crochet, and paint ceramics. 

In the mid-Seventies the Andersons built their dream home in the sandhills on the Vernon Road south of Yuma.  This marital union was blessed with three children:  Danny Lynn on May 7, 1969; Laura Dale on Jan. 9, 1971; Alison Elizabeth on July 28, 1972. Being close in age, the Anderson kids shared many interests on the farm.  They also rode long routes together on their daily school bus.  They had close contact with both sets of grandparents.

As her kids grew, Karen was attentive to their education.  She even chaperoned a sixth grade class camping trip to Estes Park.  Karen also enjoyed sports.  The family recalls how Karen had to finish watching her brother Dan’s YHS  wrestling match, even though she was in labor.  Baby Laura was born soon after that match.

Karen loved to travel.  Her first big trip was taken with her cousin Marvin.  However, the month-long European cruise left her quite homesick.

Another trip to Mexico was made with Mick and Laura in 2014 to the Mayan Riviera.  There they toured archeological ruins, and Karen proudly swam with the dolphins.  She made several trips to Vermont to visit Mick and Laura and get acquainted with Baby Caden.  Together they made another trip to Rhode Island and Cape Cod, Mass.  Connie and Rick recall a memorable family trip they made together to visit Aunt Dixie in Wimberly, TX.

Karen was a friendly person, and never knew a stranger.  She enjoyed her friendships in bridge club and in Eastern Star, and lunch dates with her nieces and sister-in-law, Marge.  She would frequently strike up a conversation with a neighboring café table.

As a child, Karen was baptized in the Church of Christ in Denver and later attended the Church of Christ in Wray.  As an adult she freely professed her faith in God and especially enjoyed southern gospel music. 

Karen knew tragedy.  She lost two homes to fire, buried her parents, suffered car accidents, and buried  two of her three children, as Alison died in 2009 and Danny in 2014.  Music and her beloved puppy Molly comforted her during illness, grief, and pain.  She was especially uplifted to hear her husband sing and play his guitar on favorite 50’s and 60’s tunes.

Karen was loved by her extended family for her good humor, patient and generous ways, her hearty laugh, and her kind heart.  She faithfully attended Anderson Family Reunions, where her fried chicken and deviled eggs were always a hit.

Karen loved being grandmother to her two grandsons, Chandler David Anderson and Caden Michael Brant.  She enjoyed reading to them, playing with them, and showing them off to her fellow bridge players.  Chandler spent time with them at the farm, and they drove to Missouri to watch him play football.  She  jumped on the tramp with Caden, slept on his bed with him, pushed him on his tricycle, and played dress-up as superheroes.

After suffering a long illness, Karen passed away at her home in the sandhills with her family, right where she wished to be.  Especially poignant is the birth of her sister’s first grandchild on Sunday, the same day as her passing.  He is named Lincoln Michael Robertson.

Preceding Karen in death are her grandparents,  parents Boyd and Jeri Robertson, and her stepmother, Marilee Baird Robertson; two beloved children, Danny and Alison Anderson;  parents-in-law, Ralph and Norma Anderson; brothers-in-law, Steve Hisam and Jack Anderson; and sister-in-law, Barbara Anderson Stoops.

Surviving family

Surviving and treasuring her memory are her husband of forty-nine years, Larry Anderson of Yuma; daughter Laura Dale Brant (Mick) of Gothenburg, NE; grandsons, Caden Brant of NE, and Chandler Anderson of Princeton, MO.

Her three sisters are Tina Robertson of Yuma, Boydine Hisam of Sterling, Connie Korf (Rick) of Yuma, and her brother is Danny (Mary Kay) Robertson of Yuma.  Her brother-in-law, Dale Stoops of Sterling;  sister-in-law, Marjorie Anderson of Yuma. 

She leaves a host of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews and many friends who will always love Karen and miss her.

A CELEBRATION OF KAREN’S LIFE was held Friday, July 21, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Yuma United Methodist Church, Yuma, Colorado.  Pastor Jaime Nievez officiated, and Karen’s nephew and nieces provided her favorite gospel music.  Baucke Funeral Home provided services, with cremation arrangements being made.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, CO  80758.