Bessie Anderson

Bessie I. Anderson, 90, formerly of Cambridge, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Allure of Geneseo. Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be on April 29th at 11:00 a.m. at the Cambridge United Methodist Church.   A celebration of life will also be held on Saturday, April 29th from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Valley View Club, Cambridge.   Stackhouse-Moore Funeral & Cremation Services, Cambridge, is assisting the family with the arrangements.  Memorials may be made to the Cambridge American Legion Auxiliary.

Bessie Irene Cook was born January 7, 1933, in Orion, the daughter of Frank and Mabel Johnson Cook.  She attended Excelsior Grade School and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1950.  She was a cheerleader for three years and prepared for a business career.  Bess started her career as a secretary for the Henry Service Company.  Her marriage to Donovan C. "Bush" Anderson took place on January 9, 1952, in Cambridge.

Her husband, Bush, entered the U. S. Army during the Korean War era and Bess followed his military career.  Their first daughter, Debra Ellen, was born in LaRochelle, France.  The family returned to the U.S. in January of 1954.  Bess became employed in 1956 by the ASCS (Federal Farm Program) in Cambridge.  A second daughter, Lori Jay, joined the family at this time.  The last 13 years of employment, Bess was the County Executive Director of the ASCS office.  She was proud of receiving the Certificate of Merit for Service to Agriculture from the USDA Illinois State office in 1991 and the Administrators Award for Service from Washington, DC, and a trip to Washington, DC to receive the award in 1992.  While employed, she also raised her family and helped her husband farm.

Bess was a member of the Cambridge United Methodist Church, serving on the Administrative Board, as a Trustee, and helped with Fall Review projects. She liked to bowl and enjoyed golfing at Valley View Club in Cambridge, where she was a Charter Member, and served on the Board of Directors for nine years.  Bess belonged to the Rotary Club of Cambridge for 20 years and received the Paul Harris Fellow award in 2011.  She was also a member of the Cambridge Social Hour.

She retired in 1993 from ASCS after nearly 40 years of service.  After retiring, Bess volunteered for Cambridge Main Street for 20 years.  Bess served on the Bank Orion Board for five years and continued volunteering at her church.  She has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1974, serving as President for 20 years and Vice President for several years.  Bess was a volunteer for the Henry County Historical Society Museum and a member of the Cambridge Historical Society.  Her main enjoyment was family, grandchildren, and cooking.

Those surviving are her husband, Donovan "Bush"; two daughters and sons-in-law, Debra & Greg Yarger, Coal Valley, and Lori & David Merrill, Montgomery, SC; five grandchildren, Bryce Merrill, Lexine Merrill, Lance (Lexi) Edmund, Jaime (Mark) Tero, and Kristen (Chad) Olin; and step-granddaughter Dawn (Josh) Deaner.  Other survivors include great-grandchildren, Livvy Edmund, Lawson Edmund, Anders Olin, and Jennings Olin; and step-great-grandchildren, Hattie Deaner and William Deaner.  Her parents; and a brother, Weldon Milton Cook preceded her in death.