Lydia E. Anderson, age 84, resident of Lakota, ND, died Friday, March 19, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, ND.

Lydia Ester Sitar was born September 2, 1925 at Bartlett, ND, the daughter of Martin and Mary (Binok) Sitar. She attended elementary school in Bartlett and high school in Lakota, graduating from Lakota High School in 1943. Lydia married Ervin Anderson on January 19, 1945 in Michigan, ND. They lived and farmed south of Mapes, ND, until 1952. It was then that they lived in Everett and Tacoma, WA. In 1960 they moved back to North Dakota and purchased their own farm south of Mapes. Lydia was a great homemaker. She raised their family and was the banker and cook for the household while Ervin was working. They moved to Lakota in 1982. Lydia was a wonderful seamstress and gardener; she shared her abundant harvest with all of her friends. Although she was busy with her activities, most important of all was her family and spending time with them.

Lydia will be greatly missed by her husband, Ervin Anderson of Lakota; 3 sons, Dwayne (Chloe) Anderson of Sheridan, WY, Dennis (Patricia) Anderson of Naperville, IL, and Larry (Tami) Anderson of Lakota; 14 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jim Anderson; her daughter, Barbara Westensee; 2 brothers, John Sitar and Martin Sitar; and 5 sisters, Helen Thorne, Mary Watkins, Cecelia Burns, Rose Meyers, and Sylvia Ross.

Lydia 's Funeral Service will be held at the Michigan Lutheran Church, Michigan, ND, on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Sue Mackey. Interment will be in the Lakota Cemetery. The casketbearers will be Dwayne Anderson, Dennis Anderson, Larry Anderson, Roger Forde, Steven Anderson, and Dennis Anderson. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Tuesday, beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.

Lydia 's family requests that memorial contributions be given to the Lakota City Library.