Majlis Anderson

January 7, 1925 - July 5, 2018

After 93 jubilant years of life, Majlis Anderson of Lake Forest passed away on July 5, 2018 surrounded by family. Born in Åland, Finland January 7, 1925, Majlis was raised on her family’s farm of eight cows, two horses, and one pig. She met US Army sergeant Karl Harry Anderson when he returned home to Åland to visit his mother and attended a dance at which Majlis played the accordion. Harry and Majlis married, then immigrated to New York City. She learned English by reading the newspaper and watching Westerns. Majlis ran their two-bedroom home, which included her husband, daughter Diane, two brothers, and a brother-in-law. She lived a dual-national life with family and friends both in the US and Finland, playing cards, dancing, and drinking coffee. They retired to Boynton Beach, Florida and, after Harry’s death, Majlis stayed there another five years. In 2006, Hurricane Wilma encouraged Majlis to move in with Diane and her family in Lake Forest. Majlis was the original “just-do-it” woman of three generations, a constant model of style, a warm heart with hugs at-the-ready for all, and a world traveler to the very end: she climbed all 284 steps of the Arc de Triomphe three months ago. She is survived by her daughter Diane (Douglas) Nieman of Lake Forest and grandchildren Carrie Nieman (David Emerson) and Andrew Nieman. A celebration of Majlis’ well-lived life will occur at 10 am on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at St. James Lutheran Church, 1380 North Waukegan Road, Lake Forest. Interment to follow at Lake Forest Cemetery. In deference to our beloved party girl, please wear appropriately colorful attire. For information contact Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, 847-234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in her memory to either: Access HEARS, 4102 Underwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21218, www.accesshears.org or Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Citizens Foundation, 100 Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045, www.lflbscfoundation.org. Please leave a happy memory, or something special you remember about Majlis on her Tribute wall, the family would really appreciate it.