LaDonna K. Anderson

LaDonna Kay (Richardson) Anderson, 76, of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away Friday, November 21, 2025, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House with her family by her side.

Born on May 28, 1949, in Bedford, Indiana, to Pearl (Blanchfield) and Robert Leon Richardson, LaDonna grew up self-assured, warm, and full of determination.

She excelled academically at North Scott High School and went on to become the first woman in her family to attend college - first at Monmouth College and then at Iowa State University with a focus on Child Development and Family Studies.

On February 28, 1969, LaDonna married her high school sweetheart, Gary Anderson, in Bettendorf. They filled their 56-year marriage with adventure, love, and partnership. Known for her spirited and fearless nature, LaDonna once convinced Gary to take flying lessons with her. She came just shy of completing the hours needed for her pilot’s license, and that was just one of many memorable experiences the two shared throughout their lives together.

LaDonna’s pride and joy was her family – daughter Melissa and son-in-law Nate, and son Derek and daughter-in-law Sara – and being “Gamo” to Spencer, Harper, Vaughn, Vivian, Lucian, and Vida. She loved all of them fiercely and spent as much time as she could with them. Whenever she saw a gift she thought they would like, she bought it (especially if it was on sale as she loved a good bargain) and stashed it in the “present closet” for later. LaDonna loved planning trips and experiences to make memories with her family. For her grandchildren who lived nearby, she never missed a concert, theatrical performance, or dance recital, and she and Gary were the only babysitters they ever knew. For her grandchildren who lived across the country, she delighted in Facetime calls, handwritten letters exchanged back and forth, musical and circus arts performance videos, and lots of photos. She and Gary also bought an RV to visit their grandchildren and explore the country.

Because of her caring nature and background in child development, LaDonna found immense joy volunteering as a reading tutor for second graders at Garfield Elementary School in Davenport. She was honored with the Davenport Community Schools H.U.G. (Helping Us Grow) Award for her contributions to childhood literacy and fostering a love of reading. She was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad-Cities (UUCQC) in Davenport. She loved traveling, cooking, and she baked the best homemade brownies and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

LaDonna is survived by her beloved husband, Gary Anderson; children, Melissa (Nate) Anderson Clark of Bettendorf and Derek (Sara Bliss) Anderson of Wilton, New Hampshire; grandchildren, Spencer Clark, Harper Clark, Vaughn Anderson, Vivian Anderson, Lucian Anderson, and Vida Anderson; and siblings, Robert Richardson of Maryland, Richard Shaffer of Davenport, and Glenna McCabe of Davenport. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Clifford Shaffer and Jerry Shaffer.

Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport, Iowa. Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com and memorials made to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.