Obituary for Catherine Anderson (O’Reilly) Catherine O’Reilly Anderson, age 89, passed away May 3, 2018 in Springfield. Catherine was born Dec. 12, 1928 to Charles Francis O’Reilly and Anna Klara Paulina Scheiper O’Reilly at the family home on West Sunshine in Springfield.
She was the youngest of ten children. Catherine attended Elfindale (St. de Chantal Academy) for 12 years, and graduated from high school at Elfindale in 1946. Catherine graduated from Drury College in 1950 with a Bachelor’s degree in English.
She was a Tri Delta and a Red Pepper at Drury, and met her husband William (Bill) Dean Anderson there. Catherine married Bill in 1952 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Springfield, and worked as a bookkeeper for Link Motor Supply from 1951-1953. Catherine and Bill moved to Branson in 1956 to open Anderson Auto Parts, which they operated from 1956 to 1970 in downtown Branson.
The couple opened The Walnut Bowl Shop on Highway 76 in 1971, and Catherine operated the successful gift shop singlehandedly after Bill passed away in 1981 until she retired in 2005 at age 76. Catherine was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Branson from 1956 to 2005, where she sang solos in the choir, served as President of the Parish Council, and managed the money counting. When she retired, she was active in the Branson Garden Club, and served as the Club’s Historian.
When Catherine moved back to Springfield from Branson in 2005, she enjoyed sewing with Comforts From The Heart at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Catherine was an excellent cook and seamstress, and a voracious reader of memoirs and biographies. She enjoyed working in her yard and doing the crossword puzzle in the News-Leader.
Catherine was a great organizer of family get-togethers and activities for her two daughters. Catherine travelled to Ireland three times to visit relatives and see the country her grandparents migrated from. She was a Girl Scout troop leader for both her daughters.
Catherine’s large extended family includes 33 nieces and nephews who call her their favorite aunt. Catherine is remembered fondly by many people who have crossed her path throughout her life. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Francis O’Reilly and Anna Klara Paulina Scheiper O’Reilly, her husband, William Dean Anderson, and her nine older brothers and sisters.
Catherine is survived by her daughters Shawn Lorenzen and Abba Anderson, Shawn’s husband Mike Lorenzen and daughters Millie and Catie, Catie’s husband Michael Derosier and their twin baby boys William and Jessie. A Memorial Mass for Catherine will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church with Msgr. Thomas Reidy officiating under the care and direction of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make contributions to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www. hhlohmeyer.com .
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