Obituary
Guest Book
Elinor Katherine (Anderson) Van Steenburg left us all to be reunited with her departed husband Edward on the evening of Tuesday June 17th. She had been battling some recent medical problems at St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange, where God came to take her back into his loving arms.
Elinor Katherine Anderson was born on February 10, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska to Walter Lincoln and Effie Eleanor Anderson and was the oldest of four children. Her sister Jean Marie Eberhart was married to Duane Eberhart (deceased) and lives in Omaha, Neb., brother Walter Lincoln Anderson Jr. (deceased) was married to Delores Anderson who lives in Omaha, Neb., and youngest brother Thomas David Anderson (deceased) married to Nancy Anderson who resides in Indianapolis, IN.
She graduated from North High School in Omaha and attended University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Education in 1948. After graduation, she taught high school English at Fullerton High School, Fullerton, NE. The quote beside her picture in the Fullerton year book is an illustration of how she lived her life: "She has a sweet, patient manner and an understanding mind."
She worked for the YWCA in Omaha, where she met her husband Edward when they held a dance with the Veterans hospital at the Omaha V.A.; she has said her initial attraction to her husband was because he was very funny. They were married on March 26, 1955 until 2008 when Edward preceded her in death. They are survived by their three children: Susan (James) Mullins of Evergreen, CO, Scot (Yuri) Van Steenburg of Valencia, CA and Lori (Simon) Palmer of Tustin, CA and two granddaughters; Samantha and Ashley Palmer.
During her 87 years she had a very rich & full life. The family moved many times as Ed was promoted during his career. They resided in Omaha, NE, Prospect Heights, IL, Mequon, WI, Arlington, TX, and Barrington, IL, before making North Tustin, CA her home for the last 37+ years. She took care of the home front and the family while Ed travelled for business.
Elinor generously gave of her time to many organizations over the years: School PTA's, UNICEF, Tustin Community Hospital, Tustin Blood Bank and the Tustin Assistance League to name a few. She loved to garden and plant flowers, and frequently could be found working in her front & back yards on her roses and many assorted flowers. It was common to see her frequently coming into the house from her yard after a morning wrestle with the trowel and the hose with her white slippers covered in water and dirt; her part time job at the former Ruffled Tulip, a local flower shop, was the perfect complement to her green thumb.
She loved to be in the presence of her family, who all visited her very frequently and will miss her dearly. May Elinor and Ed both rest in the comforting arms of our Dear Lord for eternity!
A grave side service was held 1:00 pm on Monday June 23, 2014 at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona Del Mar, CA. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the University of Nebraska Foundation Edward & Elinor Van Steenburg scholarship fund (#01129820) or the charity of your choice. We encourage everyone to sign the on-line guest book with any anecdotes that they care to share.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
June 28, 2014
Susan, Scot & Lori. What wonderful memories I have of Aunt Elinor! Kind, funny, pretty, loving and most of all a wonderful hostess! I pray you will all be surrounded by wonderful memories of her and know that the Anderson's near and far are praying for you! Hope we can see each other sometime! Love: Trish Anderson VanValkenburgh
June 25, 2014
Scott, Lori and Susan,
Please accept my condolences in the loss of your mother. Elinor was such a warm and wonderful person. I will always remember the kindness she showed to me and my family through the years. She and Ed made quite a team and I always looked forward to any visits we had with them. Moms are very special, and Elinor certainly was one of those special kind of people.
Nancy Anderson
June 24, 2014
Bernie And Clara Smith
Clara and I will miss Elinor especially our daily calls. She was so very special to us. Her attitude was always positive and upbeat. She always wanted to know how we were doing. We have wonderful memories of our times together that will help us through our time of sadness.
Scot, Susan and Lori we thank you for letting us share the love of your Mother. You know how special she was to us. We thank each of you for your kindness to us. Your Mother and Father left three great examples behind and we trust that the years ahead for each of you will fulfill your dreams.
Love To Each Of You,
Clara and Bernie Smith
June 24, 2014
Steve & Tammy Anderson
Susan, Scott and Lori,
So sorry for your loss. Tammy and I are praying that you will find strength and be encouraged during this time. I remember all the great times that we all shared at the family gatherings in North Omaha. Your mother was a sweet and kind person. She will be missed!
June 24, 2014
Kathy Anderson Dessonville
Aunt Elinor was my favorite aunt! I remember all the summers I spent in Mequon with your family and how much fun we had! I loved to go into Milwaukee to that big old department store and have strawberries on merignue! We will all miss her!
June 23, 2014
I will miss Elinor very much. Her positive attitude always encouraged me to be the same. She was a kind, loving lady who was always willing to listen to my ills or troubles. She had wide shoulders to cry on and I used them and now she can rest her head on the wide shoulders of our Lord. I love and miss you, Elinor. dee anderson
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Funeral services provided by:
Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
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