Dody Anenson, 83, passed away on July 17, 2023. She was born July 9, 1940, in Veblen, South Dakota to the late Leonard and Viola Lahammer. She grew up on a small farm, the fifth of six children. She graduated in 1958 as the Salutatorian (and Homecoming Queen) of Veblen High School. She subsequently graduated, summa cum laude, from Northern State University in 1962 with a double major in math and physical education.
After marrying Larry Anenson in 1963, she moved to Chowchilla, California, initially teaching at Chowchilla High School. Until 1990, they spent their summers at Roy Lake, South Dakota, enjoying family and water sports.
After graduating summa cum laude with a master’s degree in physical education from Fresno State University, she taught for 34 years at Merced College. She was a beloved instructor. At different times during her career, she was Chair of the Physical Education Division and Math Department. She founded the women’s volleyball program both for Merced College and the Central Valley Conference. She additionally designed the college’s state-of-the-art weight room. An award-winning coach, she was subsequently inducted into the inaugural Merced College Sports Hall of Fame.
While in California, Dody took advantage of the state’s topography and became a hiking and snow-skiing enthusiast. She was involved in daughter Traci Leigh’s softball and other sports activities and in son Troy’s Boy Scouts, as well as the kids’ band performances. Because she felt that everyone should learn to swim, she gave swim lessons for $1 (to cover her pool heating expenses) to anyone in Chowchilla.
In 2003, she moved with Larry from California to Green, Ohio, to be near her grandchildren and enjoyed helping with their activities. She also became an adopted grandma to Ryan, Emma (Sean Kenney), and Thomas Symens. An avid golfer, she played in several leagues.
She and Larry soon spent winters at the Winter Ranch RV Park in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where they developed a close-knit community of friends. She loved the multitude of sports offerings, such as pickle ball, golf, ping pong, and water volleyball, as well as other activities that included playing cards and birding. She often attended local musical performances and sang at church services.
Dody loved to travel and spent much of her life experiencing national parks and historical sites across the United States. She visited more than 60 countries.
Besides her parents, Dody was preceded in death by her brother, Laverne, and sisters, Lavonne and Irene. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Larry Anenson; son, Troy (Christina Felix) Anenson; daughter, Traci Leigh Anenson; goddaughter Robyn (Tracy) Hart; special friend Mika Hoppe; grandchildren Lance, Carly, Kendall, Anika, and Christopher; brothers, Eugene (Karen) and Galen (Peggy) Lahammer; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, August 4, 2023, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 4700 S. Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44319 with Rev. Dr. Byron W. Arledge officiating with a luncheon to follow. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 4 to 7 P.M. at Schermesser Funeral Home, 600 E. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Akron, Ohio 44319.
A graveside service will take place at 12 P.M. on August 12, 2023, at Britton Cemetery, Britton, South Dakota with a luncheon to follow. Memorial contributions can be made in Dody’s name to Project St. Nicholas Returns at https://psnr-oh.org/ and the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/. To leave a special message for the family, visit our website at www.schermesserfh.com.
SCHERMESSER
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