Sharleen 'Sherry' Rae Anderson

Sharleen “Sherry” Rae Anderson, 75, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, surrounded by her husband, son, and numerous family members and friends who lovingly comforted her in her final days.

Sherry was born in Hastings on Jan. 16, 1951, the second of four children born to George and Goldie (Degner) Smidt. She was raised on a farm northeast of Axtell and was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden. Sherry attended Axtell Community School, from which she graduated in 1969.

Following graduation, Sherry worked for the Bethphage Mission in Axtell for two years before moving to Holdrege, where she began an incredible 41-year career at Becton-Dickinson (BD). While working at BD in 1973, she met and married Roger L. Olson. Together, they welcomed her only son, Cory, in 1977. Following her 9-year marriage to Roger, Sherry and Cory made their home on the east side of Holdrege near the old Franklin Elementary School. During this time, Sherry devoted herself to Cory and her community, serving as a Cub Scout Den Leader and becoming a trusted neighborhood mother to many.

In 1983, Sherry met the true love of her life, William “Bill” L. Anderson. They were married in 1987 and made their home on the west side of Holdrege, where they shared more than 38 years together, building countless memories as a family through Cory’s high school years and beyond. After retiring from BD in 2011, Sherry and Bill spent their summers maintaining and residing at the Methodist Cove Campground at Harlan County Reservoir. For more than 12 years, they became a fixture at the campground, forming lasting friendships along the way. During the winters, they loved traveling to Florida to spend time with Cory, his wife Jennifer, and their children, James and Kathryn — Sherry’s only grandchildren and the absolute light of her life until her final days.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, George Smidt and Goldie (Degner) Smidt; her father-in-law, William (Bill) M. Anderson; and mother-in-law, Virgina (Eloise) Anderson. 

She is survived by her husband, Bill Anderson of Holdrege; her son, Cory Olson, his wife Jennifer, and their children James (18) and Kathryn (16), of Viera, Fla.; brothers, Gary Smidt and his wife Deb of rural Minden, Stan Smidt and his wife Cynthia of Kearney; sister, Sandy (Smidt) Miller and her husband Jim of rural Holstein; sister-in-law, Jeanne (Anderson) Horacek and her husband Butch of Fullerton; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and extended family members.

The family is making arrangements with Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege for a small, private family memorial service to be held in April 2026, which will be followed by a larger Celebration of Life gathering. The family encourages all of Sherry’s friends, neighbors, coworkers, and caregivers to attend the Celebration of Life and help celebrate a life that touched so many. Details will be shared once finalized.

Sherry will be dearly missed by all who loved her. Her family rests assured that she is at home, at peace, and in the loving Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ.