Anita Parsons

Anita (Steffens) Parsons, 95, of Eldorado, Iowa (formerly of Henderson, Nevada) passed away Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 at the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, Iowa. 

Rozella Anita, the daughter of Edward and Frieda (Vagts) Steffens, was born Jan. 25, 1922 on the family farm near Eldorado, Iowa. 

She was baptized March 5, 1922 and confirmed April 14, 1935 at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Eldorado. 

Anita attended Dover School #4 and graduated from West Union High School in 1940. She received normal teacher training at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and was a country schoolteacher. Anita attended summer classes at Upper Iowa University and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She then taught elementary school in Tripoli, Postville, and Decorah.  

While teaching in the Decorah School District she met Gerald Jack Parsons, a fellow teacher. They were united in marriage on June 16, 1962 and moved to Henderson, Nevada in 1963 where they taught for the Clark County School District.  Anita started her career in Henderson as an elementary classroom teacher and later became an elementary librarian until her retirement.

Education was important to Anita. She began additional graduate level coursework and earned her master’s degree in library science.  She worked with many children, helping them improve their reading skills as well as instilling in them a love for books. Anita and Jack were enthusiastic readers and visitors to their home would often find them reading.  They also enjoyed sharing their literary adventures with family and friends.

Faith was also very important to Anita. She was very involved with her church, teaching Sunday School, attending Bible Study, and belonging to circle.

Anita and Jack also enjoyed going out for dinner, attending shows in Las Vegas, and spending time with friends. They also took great pleasure in entertaining family from Iowa.

After Jack’s death in 1998, Anita moved back to Eldorado and lived in her parent’s former home.  In 2011 she moved to an apartment at Cedar Court in West Union. She eventually moved to assisted living at Stoney Brook and finally to the Good Samaritan Society shortly before her death. 

One of her favorite things after her return from Nevada was getting together with her cousins for a monthly luncheon. She also enjoyed going to the Nordic Fest Activities in Decorah with her sister, Edna for many years.

Anita is survived by her brothers, Reuben (Mary) Steffens of Clermont, Iowa; Erbie Steffens of Decorah, Iowa; and Lester Steffens of West Union, Iowa; her nieces, Brenda (Mark) Steffens-Johnson, Robin Hansen, Cheryl (Don) Wagner, and Karen (Mark) Vandegrift; her nephews, Larry (Karen) Steffens, Alan (Brenda) Steffens, Ray (Pam) Steffens, Gary (Teresa) Steffens, Kevin (Marilyn) Steffens, Keith (Tannis) Steffens, Mark Steffens, and Brad (Melanie) Steffens; as well as many great nieces and great nephews.

Anita was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Parsons; her parents, Edward and Frieda; her sister, Edna; and her sisters-in-law, Leona and Geraldine Steffens. 

Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Eldorado, Iowa. Rev. Ginny Olson was the officiant.

Visitation was held at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017 at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home in West Union, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Tuesday.

Interment was held at St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery, Eldorado, Iowa.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, West Union, Iowa helped the family with the arrangements.       8u8