Anita Sothers

Anita June Sothers, 87, daughter of Carrol A. and Mildred A. (Aspegren) Anderson, was born on June 17, 1935, in Scandia, and died Nov. 20, in Belleville.

Growing up, Anita and her family lived in Falun and Topeka, Kansas, before returning home to Scandia, where Anita graduated from high school,with the Class of 1953. After high school, Anita went to work at the ASCS office in Belleville. On Aug. 19, 1956, Anita was united in marriage to Elmer “Dean” Sothers at the Amana Lutheran Church in Scandia, Kan. To this union, they raised five children, Deann, Debra, Darice, Danell and Darin. Once all of her children were in school, Anita started working at The Courtland Journal and worked there until 2013.

Anita was a devoted farm wife and home maker. She took pride in providing for her family, baking cookies, brownies and special birthday cakes, and making sure her children and grandchildren had their favorite foods and snacks to eat.She also enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s activities and events, and time shopping with her sister, Judith.

Anita was a member of the Courtland United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Elmer Dean.

She is survived by her daughters, Deann Sklenicka of Stillwater, Okla., Debra Monzon of Concordia, Darice Wilkinson of Belleville, Danell Strickler, of Manhattan; son, Darin Sothers of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and her sister, Judith Robison of Scandia.

Her funeral was held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at the United Methodist Church in Courtland, with Pastor Sandra Jellison-Knock officiating. Burial was in Courtland City Cemetery.