Iva Darlene (Morgan) Anderson, 89, of Oakland NE

Iva Darlene (Morgan) Anderson was born to Floyd “Jack” Morgan and Eva E. (Newill) Morgan on August, 22, 1926 on a farm east of Lyons, Nebraska. She passed away on March 24, 2016 at the Oakland Memorial Hospital.

Iva grew up on a farm east of Rosalie the third from the oldest of 11 siblings. She received her early education at McCauley School, a country school located just east of the Morgan farm. In 1944 she graduated from Rosalie High School.

On April 17, 1946, Iva married Raymond L. Anderson at the Dodge County Courthouse in Fremont. They lived their entire married lives in Oakland, Nebraska where they raised five children.

Iva worked at the Johnson’s, Hilltop, Crest and Royal Cafes in Oakland for several years before purchasing the Hilltop Cafe in 1967 and becoming her own boss at age 40. For the first 9 years, the cafe was open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. seven days a week with Iva working two shifts per day. Known for serving huge portions, her specialties included homemade fried chicken, hot beef sandwiches, chicken fried steaks, hash browns, pies and French fries with gravy on top (a favorite of the local high school students).

After going to work each day at 4:00 a.m. for nearly 25 years, Iva sold the cafe in 1992. Bored with retirement, she cooked at the Oakland Golf Club until officially retiring to enjoy more time with her family.

Iva enjoyed watching all types of sports- especially when her sons were playing or coaching. Iva will be remembered for working hard, speaking her mind and being fiercely proud and protective of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ray, in 1983; sister, Dorothy Shamburg; and two brothers, Rex and Jim Morgan.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Roger Enstrom of Fremont; four sons and daughters-in-law: Doug and Sandi Anderson of Omaha, Mick and Kathy Anderson of Wahoo, Kevin and Dawn Anderson of Craig, and Paul and Anna Anderson of Oakland; 13 grandchildren: Kristin (Chuck) Lewis, Jennifer (Duane) Bartelt, Justin Anderson, Amy (Tim) Kindschuh, Andrea (Rich) Alexander, Alexandria Anderson, Anna Enstrom, Lisa (Matt) Glathar, Rachel Enstrom and fiancée, Dylan Howe, Holly Perez, Brooke (Clint) Peterson, Andrew Anderson and Alex (Stephanie) Anderson; 14 great grandchildren: Ryan, Spencer, Grant and Chase Lewis; Carson and Ava Bartelt; William and Lucy Glathar; Devon Anderson, Chloe and Bowen Perez; Paisley, Hadley and Eli Peterson; sisters: Verna Vogt of Livermore, CA, Jean Thomas of Oakland, Elva Barnett of Pocahontas, IA; brothers, Ralph Morgan of Nevada, IA, Max Morgan of Walthill, NE, Jackie Morgan of Onawa, IA and Jary Morgan of Omaha.

Visitation is Mon., March 28th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Services in Oakland.Family will be receiving friends during this time.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tues., March 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Salem Covenant Church in rural Oakland.

A private family burial will be held at the Oakland Cemetery.

Memorials suggested to the family for designation at a later time.

Iva Anderson