EMILY LOUISE ANDERSON

 Emily Louise Anderson of Story City passed away peacefully on October 4, 2025 at Mary Greeley Medical Center. A Celebration of Life service will be Thursday October 9th at 11:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Story City.
 Emily was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Paul and Thelma (Buck) Johnson. After living in Waukee for a short while, Emily grew up in the Pilot Mound area. After graduation, she attended Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls.
 She taught (mostly) 3rd grade in the Randall and Rolfe school districts from 1957-1971. When DMT school closed, she opted to move to the sub list and stay at home with her children.
 Over the years, she also taught piano to hundreds of children, and spent time accompanying them for choirs, contests, church events and more. She loved working with young people, and always said that is where the future is. They are always fresh and optimistic even if they did not like to practice their lessons.
 Emily was an accomplished keyboard artist. She was blessed with natural abilities and it appeared to be easy for her. Her home church bought their first organ when she was 12 years old. She had already mastered the piano so this was something new and challenging. She became their organist and continued playing church organs in every community where they lived.
 In fact, she played organ for a total of 72 years age 12 to 84!!
 During her life, Emily served on many boards and committees, including the Iowa High School Music Association, Area Education Agency, library boards, school boards and many others. She was passionate about service to others.
 Probably her most favorite was her service to the P.E.O. Sisterhood where she served in leadership positions in local chapters and at the state and international levels. She served on the Iowa State Board of the P.E.O. Sisterhood from 1982 1990.
 After the state board stint, she went to work at the P.E.O. Headquarters in Des Moines lining up and planning their International Conventions in many cities around the United States.
 Her life was full and very enjoyable. She loved every minute of it, and she loved inspiring others to be and do their very best. That energy will be missed.
 She is survived by her husband Chuck of 68 years and daughter Kay, both of Story City, as well as her brother Frank in Houston, Texas and grandchild Laura in Katy, Texas.
 Preceding her in death were her parents, her brother Warren, sister Barbara, and son Tom.
 Memorials will be dealt with judiciously by her very responsible family, and are being received at P.O. Box 118 Story City, IA 50248. Soderstrum Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.