Anita Lansing

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 6:38 am

Anita Lansing, age 98, of Decorah, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at WinnMed Hospital in Decorah.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m., until the time of service at the church on Friday. The Helms Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Anita Marie Hageman was born on Aug. 1, 1925, the daughter of Fred and Amelia Hageman, in Calmar, Iowa. The family moved to a farm north of Decorah during Anita’s school years. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1943 and attended Luther College for one year.

Anita was united in marriage to Carroll Lansing on June 10,1947 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Decorah. The marriage was blessed with two children, Debra in 1955 and Donald in 1961. Anita was a schoolteacher in the rural schools of Winneshiek County for ten years. Later, she worked in retail at the Priscilla Shop, Lang’s Shoes, and at the Pamida Store for fifteen years until her retirement.

Following retirement, Anita and Carroll traveled throughout the United States with Hawkeye Stages bus tours. They explored the west, northeast, and southeast regions of the US, with viewing the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty among her favorite memories. They also took many trips to Florida to visit family and enjoyed a cruise to the Bahamas in 2012.

As a parishioner of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church for over 75 years, Anita was a member of St. Catherine’s circle and volunteered, along with Carroll, in church activities. A graduate of the DHS Class of 1943, she assisted with class reunions and attended the monthly class luncheons. As a life member of the Decorah Helof Holm VFW Post 1977 Auxiliary, she sold poppies as a fund raiser for Veterans and participated in other VFW events. She also volunteered with the Girl Scouts, at the Winneshiek Hospital gift shop, and served on the election board.

On the home front, gardening and preserving the fruits and vegetables of her labors, and making jams and jellies were favorite summer activities of Anita. Dill pickles were one of her favorites. In the winter, she enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading, and cooking and baking, winning holiday recipe contests for her Mistletoe Mint Cookies, which became a family favorite! Anita was a role model for strength and resilience. Always a teacher sharing her life lessons and skills, she was loved and will be missed.

Anita is survived by her two children, Debra (Lawrence) Stephey of Winter Park, Florida, and Donald (Carla) Lansing, of Marion, Iowa. She is also survived by four grandchildren:  Laurie Stephey (Brandon Smith) of Fremont, California, Michelle Stephey of Long Island City, New York, Kira Lansing of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Tracy Lansing of Rochester, Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Carroll, in 2015; her parents Fred and Amelia Gesing Hageman; her brother Parnell; and her sisters Ruth Huber and Rose Lou Hageman.

Condolences can be sent to Donald at 2605 Heather View Circle, Marion, IA, 52302 or to Debra at 2166 Sussex Rd., Winter Park, FL, 32792.

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