Cara Anderson

Cara Jean (Van Boven) Anderson was born in LaMoure, N.D. in 1934 and lovingly enfolded into the Van Boven family at 5 months of age.  Cara and her younger sister Joanna spent their early years in Fargo, ND, Morris, MN, Rawlins, WY and Haxtun, CO before settling in Loveland, CO in 1946.  She graduated from Loveland High School in 1952 and continued to stay in touch with many school friends through the years.  She was invested in knowing people and hearing their stories.  She was inquisitive, observant  and had an amazing  memory.

As a student at Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL she met Don Anderson and began a 65 year partnership.  They graduated in 1956 and moved to the Denver area where she taught elementary school and Don taught junior high science.  They married during their spring break in 1957.

Don and Cara built a home, joined Belcaro Evangelical Free Church and added three children to their family; Gregory Paul 1960, Jill Denise 1962 and Susan Beth 1964. Cara was a creative and nurturing mom who knew how to use “the mom look” and hugs to their best advantage.

In 1965 they moved their family from Bear Valley to Arvada, where Don had joined Dow Chemical at Rocky Flats. The family joined Arvada Covenant Church where they held many positions of service and leadership over the years.

An accomplished hostess, cook and manager, Cara began Anderson Catering in 1977.  Over her 20+ year career she catered over 400 weddings, many concerts at Red Rocks, and endless events. She made more brisket, swedish meatballs, and cinnamon rolls than anyone could count. She taught many a young person how to properly cut carrot sticks, and serve others.

An avid reader and learner herself, she and Don exposed their kids to many rich experiences from camping to theater to visits to historic places throughout the United states.

Cara’s other passion was genealogical research and her family has benefited from her vast research and attention to detail. She is having a field day interviewing people she always hoped to meet and sharing memories with those she knew and loved.

The legacy of service, humor, warmth, laughter and determination begun by C.J. and Ella Van Boven has been passed to a second and third generation.  We are so very blessed.

In addition to her husband Don, Cara is survived by her children and their families, Greg Anderson and Tracy Csavina of Englewood, Jill and Dr. Paul Terrill, Grand Marais, MN and Susan & David Thoe of Laguna Hills, CA. She was an amazing grandma to her 5 grandchildren and will be greatly missed by them as well. Emily Terrill, Griffin Thoe, Isak Terrill, Annie Thoe, Carson Thoe. She is also survived by her sister, Joanna Parks of Marina del Rey, and her nephew Mark Parks and his family of Los Angeles, CA.

Cara is having a wonderful reunion with Cornelious John (C.J.) Van Boven and Ella Fae (Stowell) Van Boven as well as the many friends and family who preceded her.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 10th at 2pm at Covenant Living of Colorado in Westminster. Donations can be made in Cara's honor to the Covenant Living of Colorado Benevolent Care Mission .