In Memory of Anita M. Gibson

Anita Gibson, age 92, of Las Vegas, Nevada (formerly of Odebolt, Iowa), passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019, at the Coronado Heights of Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Celebration of Life Service for Anita and Leynn “Gene” Gibson will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 16, 2020, at the Trinity Lutheran Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. David Viggers will officiate. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com.

Anita Marcella Schroeder was born on November 6, 1927, to Herman and Helena (Milbrot) Schroeder in Stewartville, MN, in Olmstead County. She was the second youngest of nine children. She graduated from Stewartville High School in 1945.

Anita married Robert Flynn in 1950. Born to this union was Michelle Marie Flynn, Michael Dee Flynn, and Patrick Lee Flynn. They moved to Odebolt, Iowa, in 1958. Robert Flynn passed away in 1972. On July 28, 1973, Anita was married to Leynn Eugene “Gene” Gibson. Anita worked at Bill’s IGA grocery store and then at the Odebolt State Bank until she retired in 1997. 

Anita enjoyed cooking, baking, bowling, playing cards, and singing for many weddings and funerals, sharing her voice which she considered a gift from God. She was a devout Christian, devoted mom and grandma, and cherished time spent with family. Gene and Anita enjoyed traveling with her siblings and later with daughters, Michelle and Stephanie, but were always glad to be back home. Anita was a lifelong Lutheran and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Odebolt, IA, where she served in many positions. Anita and Gene lived in Odebolt until they moved to Silver Ridge Senior Living in Denison, IA, in October 2014. In July 2017 they moved to Las Vegas, NV, where she lived in Memory Care at Coronado Heights. 

She is survived by daughter Michelle Flynn of Ames, IA; son Michael (Ruth) Flynn of Lilydale, MN; stepdaughter Stephanie (Kyle) Ullrich of Denison, IA; grandchildren: Shawn (Missy) Flynn, Nathan (Natalie) Flynn, Lindsay (Jeff) King, Derek (Holly) Flynn, Annie Rae Flynn (Tony Statz), Heidi (Rod) Slechta, Chris (Wendy) Ullrich, Holly (Dean) Quirk, and Hope (Cecil) Wilson; great-grandchildren: Jaron and Karli Flynn, Nicholas, Naomi and Nash Flynn, Kamryn Ross, Reagan and Wallace King, Noble, London and Eden Flynn, Avery Lynn Statz; 13 Ullrich great-grandchildren; and many nieces & nephews.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Robert Flynn; her husband of 46 years, Gene Gibson; son, Patrick Flynn; 5 brothers, Richard, Arnold, Delmar, Elgar and Arthur Schroeder; and 3 sisters, Lila Barnett, Myrta Fauver and Phyllis Sinn.