Eva Lou Elaine Aanenson, 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct 11, 2024. Born in Rock County, near Luverne, Minnesota, on June 24, 1925, to Harry and Lena (Hamann) Beers.
Eva Lou lived on a farm and went to country school in Rock County near Luverne, where she first met her future husband, Curtis Aanenson. She graduated from Luverne High School and later moved to Minneapolis.
Eva Lou and Curtis Aanenson were married on August 18, 1949, in Minneapolis. They started raising their family in Richfield, where all three children were born. In 1959 they moved to Minnetonka.
Eva Lou enjoyed golf, playing bridge, bowling, sewing, knitting, needlework, crafts, dancing with Curtis and entertaining guests at their home. She was an excellent cook and was well known for her delicious desserts (pies, cakes, bars, cookies).
Eva Lou was a huge supporter of her children’s events. She was a Camp Fire leader and a dedicated fan, always in attendance for baseball, hockey, basketball games, gymnastics meets, and any other organized event of her family.
In the late 1980s Eva Lou and Curtis began to visit Arizona during the winters. Other memorable travels included a “once in a lifetime” trip around the world on the Concorde and a cruise through the Panama Canal. They began spending more time in Arizona in the 1990s and bought a second home in Rio Verde, which they visited every winter. Over the next 30 years they were able, and fortunate, to continue their world and domestic travels.
For years Eva Lou was a member of The Women’s Club of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Golf Club, and the Rio Verde Country Club.
Eva Lou had an amazing ability to remember people and details from her life experiences, whether it be an old high school classmate, an old neighbor, a friend of her children, or a person she just met. She was sincerely interested in reaching out and reconnecting, which resulted in many lifelong friendships.
Eva Lou and Curtis moved into assisted living in Phoenix (Clearwater – Mayo Blvd) in late 2022, where again she made many new friends and continued to do some baking for her new community, friends and staff at the young age of 97.
In August Eva Lou recently celebrated her 75th wedding anniversary with Curtis.
Eva Lou touched and enriched so many people’s lives, during her 99 years, with her friendly ways and special spirit. She was the centerpiece of the family who was always reaching out to everyone, staying in touch, and wanting to know what was going on in their lives. Her deep love for her family, relatives, and friends will be so fondly remembered and missed.
She was preceded in death by parents Harry and Lena Beers, brother Roger Beers (Gayle), and son David Aanenson.
She is survived by husband Curtis Aanenson; children Gloria Aanenson and Jim Aanenson (Kelly); grandchildren Nicole Craig (Ben), Kara Aanenson, Aaron Aanenson, Ross Aanenson, Tyler Aanenson (Kira), and Hayley Shimek (Jordan); great-grandchildren Lily Craig and Audrey Craig; and daughter-in-law Kathy Aanenson.
Eva Lou’s family would like to thank the Clearwater staff (assisted living), the medical staff at Mayo Clinic and Sherman Home (Hospice of the Valley) in Phoenix, Arizona, for their excellent care and bedside manner.
Eva Lou’s visitation will be from 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 2024, at Huber Funeral Home, 520 2nd Street, Excelsior, Minnesota 55331, and one hour prior to service at church. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 16023 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55345, with a reception immediately after the funeral service. Burial will be at Groveland Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her son David.