Shirley Ann Andersen, 82, of Sterling, passed away July 8, 2012, in Sterling. Memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at Peace Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Wendy Kalan officiating. Services will conclude at the church. Inurnment will follow at a later date.

Shirley was born Nov. 2, 1929, in Centertown, Mo., to Edward E. and Olive W. (Wagner) Keso. The family moved to Stillwater, Okla., where Shirley graduated from high school. She continued her education at Oklahoma State University, formerly Oklahoma A&M, receiving her bachelor's and master's degrees.

She taught in rural schools for a number of years before teaching at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She taught commercial food preparation and home economics from 1954-1959. She moved to Dalton, Neb., and taught in the Dalton and Potter, Neb., high schools. The family moved to Sterling where she taught at Sterling High School from 1968 until retiring in 1988.

On Oct. 10, 1958, she married Kenwood Anderson in Dalton.

Shirley was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Eastern Star, Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer Group and Sterling Retired Teachers Association. She was a long-time volunteer with the Hospital Auxiliary, working in the blood center and as a greeter with more than 10,000 hours.

She was an avid reader, enjoyed crocheting and needlework and was an outstanding cook. She influenced and taught generations of young men and women how to cook and do fine handiwork and to sew. She is renowned for her foreign foods courses, bachelor survival and related arts.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Maureen Andersen of Denver and Teresa Andersen of Lincoln, Neb.; brother, Dr. L.R. Keso and wife Mildred of Edmond, Okla.; sister, Kaye Thorne and husband Jim of Sulphur, La.; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenwood Anderson in 2003; her mother in 1998 and her father in 1970.

Memorials may be made to Sterling Regional MedCenter Volunteers.

Chaney-Reager Funeral Home handled the arrangements.