Kirsta Lee Anderson

Kirsta Lee Anderson, 36, of Beardstown, died Friday, November 8, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born August 30, 1988, in Macomb, the daughter of Rodney Wayne and Stacy Jo Baumgardner Wilson. She graduated from VIT High School in the class of 2007, earned her associate's from Spoon River Community College, and graduated from Western Illinois University in 2011 with her bachelor's in English Education.

Her career started at Beardstown High School in 2012, where she taught High School English, and soon after, she met the love of her life. She married Eric Allen Anderson on July 23, 2016, in Quincy, and a few years later, their daughter Emery was born, and they reside in Beardstown. She is also survived by her parents Rodney and Stacy Baumgardner Wilson of Table Grove; her in-laws Samuel and Marlene "Mimi" Mau Anderson of West York; a sister Kelsey (husband Brad) Baxter of Table Grove and their children Kailey, Avilyn, Haidyn, and Dawson; a brother Trenton Wilson (companion Alicia Livdahl) of Little Rock, AR and their child Allias; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and students. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Raymond and Clara Nell Hammond Wilson, her maternal grandparents Howard and Roberta Brown Baumgardner, her grandparents-in-law Larry and Jeanette Anderson and Georgene Mau, and an uncle Howard Baumgardner, Jr.

Kirsta was active in high school, playing basketball all four years, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Her faith was an integral part of her life, and she was a member of The Crossing Church in Macomb and was baptized in 2023 alongside her parents and sister. Kirsta's time at Beardstown High School led to her being a class sponsor, Student Council sponsor, girls' basketball coach, and team mom for the boys basketball team. More importantly, she found her second family at Beardstown High School. She not only touched the lives of her students and friends but many others in the central Illinois area. Her dedication to her students and her passion for teaching English was evident in her work, and she was a beloved figure in the school community.

Her passing has left a void in the lives of those who knew her, but her memory and the impact she made will continue to inspire us. Some of Kirsta's joys were her love of Christmas, making sure their home was decorated in early November, and also vacationing beachside in Florida. Eric and Kirsta enjoyed occasionally golfing, but their time together outweighed their golf scores. She loved dogs, and Mokie, her Australian Shepherd, was a big part of her family. Kirsta's strength came from the love of her family, especially Emery. They did everything together. Kirsta taught her daughter some of her loves, like baking, reading, and doing crafts, and cherished every moment of being a dance mom. Her most outstanding achievement was being Emery's mom.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Burial will follow in the Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 4-8 Tuesday at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown.

Memorials have been suggested to Emery's Education Fund in care of Eric Anderson. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com