COLUMBUS
Donnetta “Donna” L. (Alig) Anderson of Columbus, IN, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Traditions of Columbus.
She was predeceased by her much-loved husband, Theodore “Ted” Anderson of Columbus, IN, with whom she created many happy memories in the latter years of their lives. She leaves three beloved children from her first marriage to Gene Alig: Robert (Shari) Alig, Cheryl (Jerry) Barber, and Carol Swaim; two stepchildren: Gail (Joel) Gustafson and Glen (Jane) Anderson and; and many adored grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family.
Born on September 2, 1936 near Spencer, Indiana, in a family home with no indoor plumbing, Donna and her parents worked hard to navigate the difficult times of the Great Depression and World War II. Donna found that hard work and perseverance paid off as she became a competitive clarinet player and accomplished piano and accordion player, and earned awards in tennis, table tennis, deck tennis, basketball, volleyball, and softball during high school.
Donna’s lifelong dream to become a teacher was realized in 1969 when she graduated with honors from Indiana University School of Education. After teaching elementary school for six years and recognizing that special needs children often faced greater challenges, she returned to Indiana University where she obtained her Master’s in Education, Special Education in 1975. As a teacher, she quickly became known as someone who could always find good in others as she genuinely believed in every child and knew from the bottom of her heart that all children could accomplish whatever they set their minds to do if given the right opportunity.
Donna believed so firmly in the need for children to love themselves that she convinced the Department of Education to provide grant funds in 1977 for a trial summer program that focused entirely on improving self-esteem and self-worth for at risk elementary school children. The success of this and similar programs led Donna to organize the first program for behavior disorder in Estherville, Iowa, and later to work for the Iowa Area Education Agency serving families with special education needs children.
Donna was deeply devoted to her faith and to her family, friends, and neighbors who adored her for her gentle warmth, kindness, mischievous sense of humor, and feisty spirit. Her grace and generosity of spirit touched not only those close to her but reached out to her community where she could frequently be seen attending St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, volunteering with Columbus Meals on Wheels to deliver meals to homebound neighbors, attending Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, serving with the Habitat Partners Council, volunteering for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of South Central IN, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and participating in the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Donna’s inspiration for life came from a Forest Witcraft poem she kept near her writing desk: “One hundred years from now, it won’t matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like BUT the world may be a little better because, I was important in the life of a child.”
Donna Anderson’s family is grateful to the staff of Traditions of Columbus and Our Hospice of South Central Indiana for the kind and attentive care Donna received. Should you wish to honor her life and service, the family asks you to consider a donation in her memory to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana 2626 17th St, Columbus, IN 47201 or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of Columbus, Indiana. Donna’s family thanks you for your kindness.
A celebration of Donna’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Hathaway-Myers Chapel with Pastor Tim Carter officiating. Friends will be received one hour prior to service time at the funeral home.
Please leave a fond memory of Donna at www.Hathaway-Myers.com
Hathaway-Myers Chapel on Pearl St. is serving the Anderson family.
