Anita McLean

Anita Jean Tricker was born April 23, 1923 at Clarkfield, MN. She is the third daughter of the five daughters of William and Madge (Quirk) Tricker. She attended school in Clarkfield where she graduated from Clarkfield Public School. She continued her education at the Minnesota School of Business and the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. Anita was active in 4-H work and as a member for ten years, winning several trips to the State Fair and Junior Livestock Show in St. Paul. Anita worked for two years as the 4-H agent in Yellow Medicine County. While attending the University of Minnesota Anita met Malcolm McLean, a student in Agriculture. The couple was united in marriage on March 10, 1945 at the Methodist Church in Clarkfield, MN. In the fall of 1945, Malcolm was called into the US Army serving at Camp Roberts in California. Anita joined Malcolm and they lived at Paso Robles, CA for eight months. After Malcolm?s discharge from the service the couple moved to St. Paul where Malcolm obtained his degree in Agriculture and Anita worked as a secretary for the Dairy Extension Office. In 1949 Malcolm and Anita bought a farm south of Madelia, MN where they were blessed with three children, Patricia, Rebecca and Mark. Anita was a member of the Baptist Church in Madelia. In 1956 they moved to Garvin, MN and joined the Slayton Lake Sarah Baptist Church. In both of these churches Anita was active serving the Lord as a Youth Leader, teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Clerk and various offices of the Women?s Missionary society. In 1976 Mark was killed in an automobile accident; he was twenty years old. Malcolm and Anita bought a home on Lake Ida near Alexandria, MN where they spend time in the summer. They also have a home in Winter Haven, FL where they spend six months in the winter. Anita enjoyed many hobbies such as reading, sewing, needlework, knitting and painting with oils and watercolors. Anita was also active in Extension work. On Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Anita died at the age of eighty-six years. Her parents; her son, Mark; and her sister, Dorothy Phalen, preceded her in death. Anita is survived by Malcolm McLean; her loving husband for nearly sixty-five years. Anita is also survived by her two daughters, Patricia Wright and husband, Mike, of Grinnell, IA and Rebecca Shea and husband, Bernie, of Alexandria; five granddaughters, Jessie Goulding and husband Todd, Theresa West and husband, Chad, Melissa Bryngelson and husband, Tim, Jennifer Shea and Crystal Shea; nine great grandchildren; and three sisters, Elizabeth Marie Stienman and husband, Bill, of Clarkfield, Lillian Ostlie and husband, Earl, of Montevideo, MN and Ruth Thompson and husband, Duane, of Montevideo. A funeral service was held Monday, March 8, 2010 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Reverend Craig Dahl officiated. Annette Sadlemyer, Vicki Dahl and Ruth Peterson provided music. Interment will be at a later date in Slayton, MN. Honorary pallbearers included Anita?s granddaughters, Jessie Goulding, Theresa West, Melissa Bryngelson, Jennifer Shea and Crystal Shea. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.