Rigmor Irene (Aronsson) Anke
Reading Liederkranz Singer
Rigmor Irene (Aronsson) Anke, 78, a native of Vasteras, Sweden, formerly of Muhlenberg Park and most recently of Phoebe Berks Village, Wernersville, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 8th, at The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, PA.
Rigmor was born in Vasteras, Sweden on May 15, 1938, daughter of the late Eivor (Jonsson) and Nils Arne Aronsson.
Rigmor was the wife of Gordon R. Anke for 51 years. They met at the Reading Liederkranz German Club and were married in her hometown of Vasteras, Sweden with 13 members of the Reading Liederkranz in attendance.
In addition to her husband, Rigmor is survived by two daughters, Karen M., wife of Marc R. Levengood, of Sinking Spring, PA; and Kirsten M. Anke, of Forest Hill, Maryland. She is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Riley Nicole, Keira Marie; and Jared Thomas Levengood; and a brother Leif Aronsson in Sweden.
Rigmor graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Falun University in Falun, Sweden and Alvernia College, Reading, PA.
She came to the United States through the International Rotary Student Exchange Program and became a naturalized citizen in 1976.
An active member of Saint John's Lutheran Church, Reading, she with her husband received the Eagle Award in 1995 for outstanding volunteer service.
Rigmor was an honorary member of the Reading Liederkranz and 50-year member of the Reading Liederkranz Singers.
She was a charter member of the Viking Lodge #735 (Vasa Order of America) and served as Chairman in 1988.
She was an active member of the Teutonia Lodge #367 Ladies Club and served as President in 1995.
She was a skilled linguist and with her husband received the Friend of German Award in 2007 “for outstanding support for and promotion of German and the study of German” from the American Association of Teachers of German.
Rigmor retired as an Auditor from the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau. She also worked at a Montessori School; and for the Wilson School District for a brief time as an elementary school teacher; and as a substitute German language teacher in Berks County schools.
Friends are invited to call Thursday August 11th from 6-8 PM and Friday 10-11 AM at the Feeney Funeral Home. The Reading Liederkranz Singers will perform on Thursday. On Friday, August 12th at 11AM, a service at Feeney Funeral Home, Reading, PA, will be officiated by Pastor Sonja Ware of Saint John’s Lutheran Church. Interment will follow at the Laureldale Cemetery Reading, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Saint John's Lutheran Church Attn: Don Reber 521 Walnut Street Reading, PA 19601; or the Swedish Viking Lodge # 735 (Vasa Order of America) Attn: Linda Michelson, 1101 W. Jubilee Street. Emmaus, PA 18049; or Reading Liederkranz Singers Attn: Harriet Clauser, PO Box 4338, Reading, PA 19606.
Arrangements entrusted to the John P. Feeney Funeral Home, in Reading's Centre Park Historic District 625 N 4th St at Centre Ave (Route 61) Reading, PA 19601.
Obituary, directions and condolences at www.johnfeeneyfuneralhome.com.
