Longtime Mankato resident, Barbara J. Anderson, 65, died Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007, at Immanuel-St. Joseph&8217;s Hospital Hospice, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Woodland Hills Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Woodland Hills Memorial Park.

Barb was born April 9, 1942, in Forest City, Iowa, the daughter of Ray and Dorothy (Amundson) Routh. She graduated from Mankato State University with a degree in Elementary Education in 1964 and was united in marriage to Gordon Anderson on Oct. 26, 1963. The couple made their home in North Mankato until 2003, when they moved to rural Mankato.

Barb worked at First National Bank, Michaletz Insurance Agency, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mankato. The people she helped always appreciated her caring assistance. She retired in 2004.

She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato and of Mankato Area Master Gardeners Club.

Barb enjoyed decorating her homes in Minnesota and Florida, tending to her gardens, and taking care of her family and friends. She also enjoyed camping and traveling by motor home. Barb especially loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Barb is survived by her husband, Gordon of rural Mankato; daughter, Susan (Steve) Clark of Winona; two sons, Jason (Jodi) Anderson of Lake Crystal, Brent (Susan) Anderson of Lake Crystal; grandchildren, Rachel and Matthew Clark, Alex, Michael, and Claire Anderson, and another special grandchild due to arrive in May of 2008; brothers, Dennis (Joyce) Routh of New Richland, David (Paula) Routh of New Richland, Scott (Julie) Routh of New Richland, Mitch (Suzy) Routh of New Richland, Kelly (Lori) Routh of Hartland, and Kipp Routh of New Richland; sister, Sally Routh of Bellevue, Wash.; father, Ray Routh of New Richland; sister-in-law, Mary Routh of New Richland; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Routh, and brother, Dean Routh.