Doris Ilene Jones Anderson, 94, Winona Lake, died peacefully in her sleep of natural causes at 11:46 p.m. Oct. 8, 2013, in Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw. She was born Dec. 14, 1918, on her parents’ farm in Nebraska, to Owen and Hannah Johnson Jones. On Nov. 16, 1938, she married Ken Anderson, who preceded her in death March 12, 2006. Her parents taught her faith in God, love, trust and hard work. She learned John 3:16 and other sound Christian concepts, including world missions at the little country church of Emmaus. She graduated from a high school teacher training course in Holdrege, Neb., and later from the Evangelical Free Church Bible School in Chicago where she met Ken Anderson. They quickly realized they were soul mates. Her engagement ring bore Psalm 34:3 and seven diamond chips, which would come to represent their seven children. Ken and “Mrs. A” ministered together in love and God’s blessing for 67 years. They planned to be missionaries and first served churches in Isle, Minn., and Newman Grove, Neb., where she was hired as youth director. Health conditions led them away from traditional missions and they became an effective and fruitful ministry team – Ken the visionary and she the pragmatist. Early on, she suggested Ken, ever the storyteller, try writing a book. Over the years, Ken called her his co-author and she helped revise many of his 77 books, including “Where to Find it in the Bible,” which sold more than 4 million copies. Ken became Youth for Christ Magazine’s first full-time editor, which led to a 1948 China trip with Bob Pierce, who founded World Vision. While Ken was in China, she moved the family to Michigan where she and Ken founded Gospel Films in 1949. She put her Bible school and teacher training to good use at home as God grew the family to seven children. She also served frequently in the film editing rooms. In 1954, Zondervan published her “Encyclopedia of Games” which she prefaced with, “It is my sincere prayer that these games will be the means whereby many will learn that Christians are the happiest people in the world.” In 1961, they established Ken Anderson Films in Warsaw where she took on business officer responsibilities as well as film editing. In 1991, she became a founding board member of InterComm, which continues to place KAF media into the hands of national evangelists worldwide. A long-time member of the historic Winona Lake Presbyterian Church, she enjoyed gourmet cooking, piano, crafts and gardening. On her final day, she affirmed, “I have accomplished everything I needed to accomplish.” Before falling asleep she prayed, “Lead me gently home, Father.” Surviving are seven children: Naoma (and spouse Larry) Clark, Castalian Springs, Tenn.; Margaret (and spouse Lanny) Mauzy, Lane (and spouse Jill) Anderson, Ken D. (and spouse Beth) Anderson, all of Warsaw; Donn (and spouse Diane) Anderson, Dallas, Ore.; Max (and spouse Claudia) Anderson, Rockford, Ill.; and Melody Anderson, San Diego; and a host of grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren. An informal private family gathering is planned. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. ***** Memorials may be made to InterComm Inc., P.O. Box 618, Winona Lake, IN 46590. Online condolences may be sent at www.redpathfuneralhome.com
