Kimberly Joet (Bird) Anderson

It is an awful shock to many people that Kim was fighting cancer over the past 3 ½ years.  She was very private regarding her illness and her family respected her wishes.  It was pure Kim to think of everyone else before she thought of herself!

As strange as this may sound, all who knew her are fortunate to be left with such gaping holes in their hearts.  She was a tremendous bright light, and she will be missed endlessly.

Kimberley Joet was born on January 22 ^nd , 1954 at North Memorial Hospital in Minneapolis.  She had so many nuances and layers to her, but in essence she was bright, kind, compassionate and gracious.  All she had to do was smile and one could ascertain those traits.  Hers was a beauty that radiated from the inside out.  She always said that her husband, Doug, taught her about kindness and how that extended to everyone of every walk of life.  She certainly embodied that.  She was gracious to everyone and adored working in any job where she had a lot of interaction with people.

The most important thing in Kim’s life was her family – and most especially her true, forever love, Doug. She and Doug had and an amazing and genuine love for each other that very few of us are lucky enough to find.  Her heart was shattered after his death 4 ½ years ago, so her family is rejoicing now at the thought of them in sheer happiness being together again.

She was devoted to her mother, Rosalyn and also to her mother-in-law, Dorothy.  Her and Doug’s weekends, and then later just her weekends were dedicated to being with them.  There was no doubt where she and Doug would be on any given Saturday night.  It was church, dinner, and cards with the “moms”. This was a repeated weekly tradition for over 20 years or more.  It then became Kim’s steady ritual to be with Rosalyn every weekend until she became so ill, she just couldn’t do it anymore.

As a child she and her family spent summers with fun trips to Brainerd, Duluth, Lake Independence, Twin Lakes and many other places.  These times were very special and the memories they made were among Kim’s most treasured and she talked of them often.

She was a strong and independent woman.  Even at 14 years of age it was important to her to pave her own way.  She enrolled herself in the non-traditional school work study program.  Kim worked from age 14 to age 68, until the day she left us.  She began working in retail at Kinney Shoes, the infamous store where she met and fell in love with Doug.  She also worked many years at Donaldson's/Carson Pirie Scott.  She made an impact wherever she was employed, but most notably during her time in human resources at Target, where she just completed 27 years.  She loved her work there and also her “Target Family” who were always a joy to her, but especially during COVID and then during her illness.

It was during her time at Donaldson's that she met her best friend, Karol Herr.  They just clicked, working the cosmetic counter together.  Their friendship has been the best kind, lasting 50 or more years.  Fun fact:  Kim and Carol attended the Minnesota State Fair together a whopping 48 years in a row!

It was very evident that Kim stood strongly for “girl power”, as she put it.  She made it very clear that it was her wish to recognize this with her beloved nieces, that they were to carry on with their own girl power.  Each one of them is honored to be a pallbearer in her tribute.

Kim and Doug belonged to the Minnesota Arboretum, spending many hours hiking and picnicking there over the years.  It was definitely her happy place and her spiritual refuge.  Kim’s passion and hobby in her free time was gardening at home.  Her magic touch is everywhere in her yard.  She garnered a lot of design and plant inspiration from the arboretum and took it back to her own garden.

Much gratitude goes out to Kim’s sisters, Roxie and Debi for going over and above in caring for her.  They were with her constantly, accompanying her to appointments and being with her in the hospital.  Over the last couple of months, they took turns staying at her home, never leaving her alone for a moment.   It was because of them that Kim’s utmost desire to be able to stay in her home during this time, was realized.  They were her main support team and her best friends.  Also, a thanks to her brother Bobby and his wife, Vikki for their additional support.

North Memorial Hospice only came on board 3 weeks ago, but from the minute they walked in the door, we could all breathe easier.  Their compassionate and steady guidance has been a true godsend.

A chorus of cardinals were singing as she passed on to her next adventure.  And there she is now, dancing on the edge of eternity.   We love you Kim, we know you are at peace.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Monday, July 11, 2022 with visitation at 9 AM and Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM at the Church of the Sacred Heart, 4087 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale.  Interment Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope, MN.  Memorials preferred to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.