Kathleen Louise Maloney Andersen, 75, of Dixon, died on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, with her family by her side.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Preston Schilling Funeral Home with a funeral Mass to follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. with Fr. John Evans as celebrant. Inurnment to take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Summer 2025.
Mrs. Andersen was born on Jan. 28, 1949, in Dixon to William and Mary Lou (Duncan) Maloney. After graduating from Dixon High School in 1967, she studied theatre at Kendall College in Chicago where she worked as a puppeteer at the world renowned Kungsholm Miniature Grand Opera in Chicago. She furthered her education by studying psychology at Arizona State University and began her work in the service field working at St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Center in Phoenix, AZ. Her zest for adventure took her to Mexico where she lived for a short while amid her many travels before returning to the states where she settled back in Dixon and pursued a nursing degree from Sauk Valley Community College. She married David Andersen on Oct. 17, 1986, in Dixon.
Mrs. Andersen spent the next chapter of her career helping others as a registered nurse at KSB Hospital for 25 years, retiring in 2011. She was well known at the bedside for treating patients and their loved ones with great compassion and care. She was a devoted wife, mother, nana, and sister who cherished her family deeply. She and her husband most recently moved back to Dixon after spending several years living in Hillsboro to be near their younger grandchildren.
She relished in all her children and grandchildren’s accomplishments. In addition, she was known by so many as a treasured friend, sage advisor, trusted confidant and lover of laughter and fun. With a remarkable flair for artistry, Mrs. Andersen took great care in making everyday things such as a wrapped gift or a prepared meal aesthetically pleasing all while maintaining a thoughtfulness in her everyday efforts that was always noticed. A devout Catholic, she was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Dixon.
Mrs. Andersen is survived by her husband, David Andersen of Dixon; daughters, Megan (Ben) Cady of Hillsboro and Elizabeth (Destini Elmendorf) Andersen of Springfield; grandchildren, Makenzie (Dylan) Suhr of Jesup, IA, Emma Kathleen Dowding, Andersen, Ware, and Piper Louise Cady, all of Hillsboro, Destin and Delilah Freeman of Springfield; great-granddaughter, Luka Kathleen Suhr of Jesup, IA; brother, Dan Maloney of Dixon; sister, Patricia Kimball of Dixon; several nieces and nephews, including Matthew Kimball of Dixon, Scott (Ashley) Kimball of Eldena, Shaun (Bridgette Sotelo) Maloney and Danielle Maloney, both of Dixon; sister-in-law, Donette (Bob) Brasen of Springfield, brothers-in-law, Greg (Jan) Andersen of Indiana, Terry (Mary Sue) Andersen of Walnut, Rick (Mary) Andersen of Tennessee and Harry Andersen of Walnut; and treasured and cherished friends, Teresa and Dennis Coomes of Grand Detour.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Condolences may be sent online at www.prestonschilling.com.
