Lois Anderson

Dr. Lois Dorothy Anderson
January 7, 1925 - August 18, 2017

Dr. Lois Dorothy Anderson, age 92 passed away peacefully the morning of August 18, 2017 at Bethany Community Nursing Home in Alexandria, MN.

Lois was born January 7, 1925 in Alexandria, Minnesota she was the daughter of the late Victor Anderson and Selma (Johnson) Anderson. She graduated from Alexandria High School in 1943 as valedictorian of her class. Through those years she participated actively, also, in youth activities of First Baptist Church and maintained membership throughout her life.

Lois received her diploma in nursing from Mounds-Midway School of Nursing and immediately upon graduation began there as an assistant instructor. Receiving the KIRBACH-DAHLBY Scholarship, her study towards her bachelor’s degree in nursing education was continued at the University of Minnesota from which she also received her master’s degree. She was elected to membership in SIGMA THETA TAU, PI LAMBDA THETA and PSI CHI. During the summer of 1952 she had received scholarship aid to study in England the curriculums in mental nursing under SPAN (Student Project for Amity among Nations.) So began her love of traveling abroad.

Miss Anderson taught for 5 1/2 years at the University Of Minnesota School Of Nursing. With the help of a nursing research fellowship from the National Institutes of Health, Lois became Dr. Lois Anderson in 1961, receiving her PhD at the University of Minnesota, majoring in educational psychology and completing her thesis on “Student-Faculty Perceptions of Educational Environments in Minnesota Schools of Nursing.” Dr. Anderson served as Education Coordinator at Hamline University School of Nursing in St. Paul from 1955 - 56. Her interest in video nursing education found here, during the ensuing years, serving as consultant at many colleges through the United States. She served as Coordinator at KTCA-TV and KTCI-TV in St. Paul from 1962 - 68. In 1968 Dr. Anderson accepted the position of Coordinator of the Veterans Administration Nursing Research in Nursing Education at the Veterans Administration Hospital in St. Cloud. Appreciating the values her parents had taught her, her enthusiasm in her new job was only excelled by the pride which her father, a veteran, had in his daughter’s occupation. Dr. Anderson Traveled throughout the country serving as consultant to any Veteran’s Hospital interested in the media of television to assist in therapy, diagnosis, training of hospital personnel and other effective means the media had to offer. Dr. Anderson then transferred to the Veteran’s Hospital in Minneapolis, she also assumed directorship of the Nursing Multimedia project which involved 5 hospitals in 5 regions of the country.

Lois loved her home, which was built in 1882, by her Grandfather and often stated that is was one of the first homes built in the new city of Alexandria. She was passionate about the history of her hometown. Dr. Lois was a collector of past era gowns, and antiques. She loved traveling abroad and was a volunteer for numerous organizations. She loved her family, friends and her pets and lived her life with great care and compassion for others and a wonderful appreciation of life.

Lois is preceded in death by her Parents Victor and Selma Anderson, Brother Royce Anderson, Niece Ann Hathaway and nephew Robert Larson.

Lois is survived by sister Eleanore (Anderson) Larson and niece Lois Jean Moeglein.
Dr. Lois will be greatly missed.

Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.