Victoria Marie Andersen, 70
Victoria Marie Andersen, 70, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away in the comfort & care of her four children in Columbia, Missouri on January 11, 2022. Vicki, as she was called her entire life, was born in Dubuque, Iowa, to Stanley & Therese (Johanningmeier) Spielman. She attended Cherry Grove school until attending junior & high schools in Maquoketa, Iowa. On February 5, 1968, she married Harold C. Keeley in Jacksonville, Florida. The couple moved back to Maquoketa for the birth of their first child in early 1969, but returned to Florida until late 1970. They moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, and Vicki resided there until 1991. Throughout her years in Marshalltown, she was a homemaker (as she famously said her “June Cleaver Years”) did extensive volunteer work, enjoyed entertaining guests & hosting parties, having lunches with friends & traveling, was a Girl Scout leader and a member of several boards & committees within the community including Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and the T.T.T. philanthropic sorority. Proudly, energetically, lovingly and flawlessly, Vicki raised her four children as a single mother, going to college and earning an associates degree from Marshalltown Area Community College. She worked for Mid-Iowa Community Action, first as a direct service provider and eventually promoting several times into a leadership role. Her impact with MICA transformed the lives of thousands of individuals & families during her tenure. She moved back to Maquoketa in 1991 and continuing to follow her heart for serving others, began working at DAC, Inc. Again, beginning in a direct service position, but promoting into a leadership role until retiring in 2012. In 2000, she married Richard L. Andersen and he preceded her in death in 2015. She and Rich were the epitome of peas in a pod. They enjoyed going to the movies, playing cards, visiting with friends, dining out & attending live performances, traveling & just simply being at home together. But by far, their favorite pastime was anything with family, most especially their Grandchildren!
Vicki honored Rich’s memory by giving two full measures of extraordinary love to each of them every chance she could. If she wasn’t able to attend their sporting events & activities, she would share about them to whoever she could. One of her all time most favorite things was a ‘slumber party’ with whoever could stay the night in her cozy home she loved so much. In recent years, she had reconnected with several high school friends. She cherished many luncheons, impromptu reunions & gatherings, including a surprise 70th birthday celebration for her. Vicki was up for just about anything, found the humor in everything, her quick wit was matched only by her over-the-top generous spirit and will live forever in the hearts of all who were lucky enough meet up with her.
She is survived by her children: Bridget (Brian) Canaday, of Columbia, Missouri, Raquel (Kyle) Clausen, of Bellevue, Iowa, Nicole (Mike) Olsen, of Maquoketa, Iowa and Chip (Jennifer) Keeley, of Clarinda, Iowa. Her most cherished grandchildren: Josh (Casey), Haley (Alex), Allison, Dawson, Jack, Maddalyn, Keeley, Greyson, Kelsea (Brian) & Ashlea and great grandson Royce. Her sister, Sally (Bill) Schroeder, of Ankeny, Iowa. And her “Cuzzie” Jeanne (Paul) Hampton, of Dubuque, Iowa.
She is preceded in death by Harold (in 1984) and her parents. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 19th from 4-7pm under the direction of Carson Celebration Of Life Center in Maquoketa. A funeral service at 11:00, followed by her favorite luncheon, will be held on January 20th at First Lutheran Church in Maquoketa with Pastor Neil Harrison presiding. For those wishing to make a donation in her honor, contributions can be made to one her favorite causes, St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital or to a Memorial fund established by her children to intern her ashes at a later time.