Jean Adeline Anderson

Jean Adeline (Sunnarborg) Anderson, age 89, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025, at her home in Peterborough, NH surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Jean was born in Esko, Minnesota on September 29, 1935, to Edward and Helen Sunnarborg who raised her in a loving Christian home. In 1953, she graduated from Lincoln High School in Esko, Minnesota. Jean moved to the Detroit, Michigan area when she was 19 years old, where she resided for 68 years until she relocated to New Hampshire in 2022. On June 1, 1957, Jean married William H. Anderson in Esko, MN and she was a devoted wife for 62 years. She poured her heart into her home and family, raising 6 children. Her days were spent delighting in life’s simple pleasures while nurturing, guiding, and wholeheartedly being there for the ones she loved most. Her favorite role was becoming a grandmother and then “Gigi” to all of her great-grandchildren. Jean genuinely loved people and found true joy in getting to know them. A generous hostess, her warm and gracious heart touched the lives of all who knew her.

Jean was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband William, infant son Robert, grandson Dean Riutta, siblings Donald Sunnarborg, James Sunnarborg, Evelyn & Norman McClellan and brother-in-law Edwin Puumala. She is survived and deeply missed by her six children, Ross & Kathy Anderson of Plymouth, Michigan; Sandra & Bradley Riutta of Chassell, Michigan; Karen & Randolph Kangas, Judith & James Traffie, and Gerald & Lola Anderson of New Ipswich, New Hampshire; Debra & Calvin Matson of Kennewick, Washington; 36 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by siblings Luella Puumala, Harvey & Carol Sunnarborg and Reynold Sunnarborg; sisters-in-law Ida Rose Sunnarborg and Nancy Sunnarborg; and many nieces and nephews.

Above all, Jean loved and trusted in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was a lifelong member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church. Jean believed, lived, and taught: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Cournoyer Funeral Home, 33 River Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 12:00 pm with the family receiving friends beginning at 11:00 am at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Brighton, Michigan.

Jean will be laid to rest with William at Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.