Roi Anne Gearhart, age 78, passed away on April 6, 2025, at Heritage Estates in Gering, Nebraska following an extended illness. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove, Iowa with Celebrant Father Jim Tigges, followed by lunch and visitation with family. Graveside services were Saturday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Missouri Valley, Iowa with Deacon Mike Carney officiating.
Roi Anne was born on November 21, 1946, to Walter Eugene Gearhart and Marjorie Anne (Carpenter) Gearhart in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School in Missouri Valley K-8th grade and graduated from Missouri Valley High School in 1965. Roi Anne received her Bachelor’s Degree from the College of St. Mary’s in Omaha, Nebraska, followed by her Master’s Degree at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico. Roi Anne began her long teaching career in Rolla, Missouri in 1971 before moving to Eagle Grove, Iowa in 1973 where she continued her career as the elementary and high school music teacher in the Eagle Grove Community Schools District until her retirement in 2011. During this time, she directed numerous musical performances, including swing choir events, Christmas musicals and the Eagle Grove Chorale (community chorus) programs.
Roi Anne was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Director of Music) and the organist at First United Methodist Church. She was a member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Education Society, Iowa State Education Association, Eagle Grove Education Association, the Paddle Wheel Players of Eagle Grove and many other organizations too numerous to mention. Many of those who knew Roi Anne will remember that she provided the music for their wedding or for a funeral of a loved one. Family members will have fond memories of Roi Anne leading them in Christmas carols around the piano.
On August 17, 2000, she was united in marriage to Sterling Anderson who shared her love of music and community involvement. She is survived by her brothers, Mark (Jeanette) Gearhart, Columbus, NE and Martin (Kathleen) Gearhart, Onalaska, TX; sister, Gretchen (Roy) Chord, Torrington, WY; sister-in-law, Corinne (Matthew) Gearhart Jacobsen, De Soto, MO; stepsons, Lynn (Diane) Anderson, Naples, FL and Larry (Jean) Anderson, Estes Park, CO; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.
Roi Anne was preceded in death by her husband Sterling Anderson; her parents, Walter and Marjorie Gearhart; and her brother, Matthew Gearhart.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Roi Anne’s name may be given to any of the following: Rotary Senior Living, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Our Foundation for the Future, all of Eagle Grove, Iowa, or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa.
