Elva Marie Waters

Elva Marie Waters, 89, of Fairfield passed away peacefully on November 14, 2023, at Lantern Park, Coralville, Iowa.

Elva, the daughter of Elsworth A. (Andy) Anderson and Martha Sodergren Anderson was born June 1, 1934, in Perry, Iowa.  Elva was raised in the Olds, Iowa community and graduated from Olds Consolidated High School.  She then attended college, graduating from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa with a degree in elementary education.  Elva started her teaching career in a rural one room schoolhouse.  She taught 2^nd and 3^rd grade at Van Allen Elementary in Mount Pleasant for many years as well as substitute teaching in numerous school districts including Fairfield. 

Elva married Norman R. Waters of Crawfordsville, Iowa on October 10, 1958, in Olds.  They moved to Fairfield in 1960 where the raised their two children, JoEllyn Sue Waters Owens and Scott Richard Waters. 

Elva loved life and fought through many injuries and illnesses throughout the years including several cancers and a car accident that resulted in multiple surgeries and many, many months in hospitals. She loved all animals, especially cats.  Family always came first!  She and Norman attended every event their children participated in and later made countless trips to Texas to see their granddaughter’s many dance recitals, ball games, orchestra and choir concerts, and cheerleading and dance team competitions.  

Elva was preceded in death by her husband Norman on November 6, 2013, and a brother, John Robert Anderson.  Elva is survived by her daughter, JoEllyn S. Owens and her husband, Robert, of Wichita Falls, Texas, granddaughter Erin Meek and her husband, Colby, and great granddaughters Emalyn and Ellastyn Meek of Tolar, Texas, son, Scott R. Waters and his wife, Peggy, of Iowa City, Iowa, and her brother, Richard L. Anderson, and his wife Jean, as well as several nieces and nephews.          

A celebration of life is planned for June 1, 2024.  We will gather to commemorate her 90^th birthday and do what she loved most, spend time with family and friends.  Final details will be shared as we get closer to the date.