Anita J. Sothers

Anita June Sothers, daughter of Carrol A. and Mildred A. (Aspegren) Anderson, was born on June 17, 1935, in Scandia, and passed away on November 20, 2022, in Belleville, at the age of eighty-seven years, five months, and three days.  

Growing up, Anita and her family lived in Falun and Topeka, KS, before returning home to Scandia, where Anita graduated from high school, class of 1953. After high school, Anita went to work at the ASCS office in Belleville. On August 19, 1956, Anita was united in marriage to Elmer “Dean” Sothers at the Amana Lutheran Church in Scandia, Kansas.  To this union, they raised five children, Deann, Debra, Darice, Danell and Darin.  Once all of her children were in school, Anita started working at The Courtland Journal and worked there until 2013.

Anita was a devoted farm wife and home maker. She took pride in providing for her family, baking cookies, brownies and special birthday cakes, and always making sure her children and grandchildren had their favorite foods and snacks to eat. The grandkids always loved going to grandma’s house for family celebrations. Anita especially loved Christmas time with her family.  She also loved attending her children and grandchildren’s activities and events, and spending time and going shopping with her sister, Judith.  

Anita was a member of the Courtland United Methodist Church.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Elmer Dean, and brother-in-law, Charles Robison.

She is survived by her daughter, Deann (Gary) Sklenicka of Stillwater, Oklahoma, granddaughter Abby (Chris) Zarger  and great-grandchildren Alex & Kate of Manhattan, Kansas, granddaughter Keri (Anthony) Roybal and great-grandchildren Sophia and Matthew of Colorado Springs, Colorado, granddaughter Rachel (Devin) Kahre, of Colorado Springs, grandson Nathaniel Sklenicka of Great Lakes, Illinois, granddaughter Rebekah (Cody) Baxter of Helena, Montana; daughter Debra (Jerad) Monzon of Concordia, granddaughter, Chelsie of Denver, Colorado & granddaughter Courtney and grandson Corben of Concordia; daughter, Darice (Brad) Wilkinson of Belleville, granddaughter, Kellie (Jeff) Gossman, great-grandchildren, Declan and Makai of Kearney, Nebraska, and grandson Brett (Erica) Wilkinson and great-granddaughter Reese of Salina, Kansas;  daughter, Danell Strickler, of Manhattan, grandson Cole of Olathe, Kansas, and granddaughter Cassie of Manhattan; and son, Darin (Jackie) Sothers, granddaughters Taylor, Briley, and Joslyn of Lincoln, Nebraska. She is also survived by her sister Judith Robison of Scandia, and many nieces and nephews and other relatives. 

Anita will be forever remembered for her love of her family, her patience and calming reassurance, and her quiet, gentle soul.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Courtland, with Pastor Sandra Jellison-Knock officiating. Burial will follow at Courtland City Cemetery.

Family and friends unable to attend the services may watch a livestream of the funeral service, on the Courtland United Methodist Church Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066338784770

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 22, from 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm, with family greeting friends from 6pm – 8pm, at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville.

Memorials are requested to Meadowlark Hospice or the Courtland United Methodist Church, and may be sent in care of the funeral home.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Sothers family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com