Kirsten Andersen

Kirsten Andersen,78, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother (Mormor), died peacefully and surrounded by family on Saturday, December 19th, 2015…..eight days short of her 54th wedding anniversary. She was born Kirsten Willer on May 23, 1937 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She lived with her parents, George and Gunhild (Eisemann) Willer, in Hellerup, a suburb of Copenhagen. Always on the move and a tomboy from early on, Kirsten enjoyed the outdoors and athletic activities, including sailing and swimming in the Sound. She excelled in her studies and after graduating Øregård Gymnasium, began a laboratory technician internship at Novo Pharmaceuticals; a career move that would ultimately aid in her coming to the United States. She met her future husband, Mogens (M.A.) Andersen, in Copenhagen in the Spring of 1960. Mogens was living in Kansas City and he helped secure a job for her at KU Medical Center as a lab tech in the Fall of 1960. Kirsten enjoyed the work and the move to the States very much, and met many fellow Danes in the KC area destined to become lifelong friends. Kirsten and Mogens married in Copenhagen on December 27, 1961. After marrying, the couple purchased a small home in Mission, KS where their first daughter, Linda, was born in 1965. In 1968 they moved to Lake of the Forest in Bonner Spring, KS, and in 1969 they added another daughter to the family, Mette (Kramer). Mogens had been working for H&R Block and Kirsten soon began working with him, a career that they would stay with in one form or another for the rest of their working years. Over the years they lived many places, including Lawrence, Ottawa, Paola, and finally, Leawood, KS Kirsten loved spending time in the outdoors; teaching her girls how to ice skate on the Lake, gardening, drove her family nuts with all of the house plants, played a wicked game of tennis, walking, and swimming. One of her favorite pastimes was exploring and travelling the world. From Alaska to the Antartic, from California to New York, and many return trips to Denmark, but home always remained Kansas City. She always had a smile on her face, and a laugh ready to share. She would want everyone reading this to smile and laugh, raise a toast and say “Skoal!”. She was an excellent cook and an avid reader. She was the consummate homemaker entertaining dozens of couples and friends with Danish dinner parties that lasted into the wee hours of the morning. She truly doted on her daughters, teaching them everything she knew and supporting them in all that they did. She did “crafting” before it was a thing and created amazing pieces of work her whole life: gorgeous needlepoint and beautiful knitting. She leaves behind her best friend, partner in crime, and devoted and loving husband, Mogens, absolutely fabulous daughters (ha ha Mom!), Linda Andersen and Mette Kramer (Brent), handsome, smart, and gregarious grandson, Karsten Andersen Humphrey, light-of-our-lives granddaughter Gretchen Kramer, along with nieces, nephews and extended family in the U.S. and Denmark. She is preceded in death by her parents and grandson, Finn Kramer. A private gathering will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations in Kirsten’s honor to The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City or Kansas City Hospice House. Please share your photos, memories and stories either here, or send directly to the family.

Kirsten Andersen

May 23, 1937 - December 19, 2015