Gladys Anderson
She was born on August 12, 1933, in Hamlin Township, MN, the daughter of Harold and Theolena (Olson) Mattson. Betty graduated from Dawson High School in 1951 and earned a teaching certificate from Mankato State College in 1953. On June 21, 1953, she married her Knight in Shining Armor, Neil V. M. Anderson. Together, they shared 67 years of marriage, building a beautiful life and raising six children.
Betty devoted her life to Jesus and her husband, moving homes more than twenty times to accommodate his career in the Navy and academia. She raised six children who all learned that though their mom was tiny, she was also mighty. What they say about redheads having a temper was true for her- you did not mess with Betty! She balanced that with a great sense of humor and loved to tell a good story and laugh, especially at herself.
Betty was proud of her Norwegian heritage and felt pretty sorry for anyone who was not Norsky. Over the years she helped support the family with a variety of jobs. Betty found her passion in antiques and collectibles by operating the Barn Antiques and Bed & Breakfast at Kimble Cliff for 20 years. She loved everything about it: her customers, learning all about the antiques and sharing that knowledge with enthusiasts. She was a member of KVMA Auxiliary and the Keats Lion Club.
Betty dedicated her life to Christ in 1963 and was a firm believer in prayer. She knew God heard and answered her prayers about helping her meet and marry Neil Anderson, providing food for her son when there was none in the house, about expanding her family and many more examples. Her faith informed her practice of quietly reaching out to women she suspected of being abused and encouraging them to seek the help they deserved.
Above all, Betty cherished the moments spent with her ever expanding family. She loved babies and nothing made her happier than to hear there would be an addition to the family.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Neil Anderson and great- grandson Aiden Horst, her parents Lena and Harold and four siblings Rita Schmidt, Theola Hofseth, Ordean Mattson, and infant Harold Mattson.
She is survived by her six children, Jon Anderson (Debbie), Kristine Stevens (Ted), and Nadine Horst (Larry), Vincent Anderson, Elizabeth Nelson (Kent), Kurt Anderson (Kristen); seventeen grandchildren Benaiah Anderson (Kate) , Jake Anderson (Jami) and Leah Anderson (Jason Dellasega), Sarah Ngoh and Lydia Mercer (Jason), Adam Horst (Jenny) and Aaron Horst (Cara), Kayleigh Hubbard, Kevin Anderson (Kierstin) and Kjersten Anderson, Leif Nelson (Emily), Knute Nelson, Haley Nelson and Lena Perez (Joseph), Luke Anderson (Katie), Daniel Anderson and Julia Anderson and 23 great- grandchildren with one on the way; Ellie and Lily Anderson, Ruby, JJ and Hannah Anderson, Anderson, Lyndal and Thomas Dellasega, Sala Young and Isaac Ngoh and Mikah Young, Olivia, Eden and Jason Z. Mercer, Jackson, Landon and Alyssa Horst, Luna and Vida Horst, Lucy Anderson, baby Perez on the way, Emma, Seth and Mia Anderson; three of her siblings, Josephine Arneson, Martha Welch, Esther Brown and many nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the staff of both Via Christi Village and Accord Hospice for their kindness and diligent care of Betty through the years.
The family will greet friends during a visitation from 5:30 until 7:00p.m. Friday June 26, 2026, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Riley Cemetery in Riley, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sedalia Community Church Youth Group or Tusonge Ministries (Uganda). Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.
Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com