Malinda Grace Anderson, 73, died peacefully at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, IA March 31, 2017 with her husband at her side.  Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 6, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola, with family present from 5 to 8 p.m. to greet friends.  Graveside services are at 2 p.m. Friday, April 7, at the Indianola I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Malinda was born to William and Alice (Crane) February 27, 1944 in Beloit, KS and grew up on the family farm south of Jewell, KS.  She graduated from Jewell High School in 1962 and attended Fort Hays Kansas State College before transferring to Kansas State University.

Malinda married Norman Anderson on June 5, 1965.  They moved to Wichita in 1967 where she worked as a lead clerk at Wichita State University.  In 1974, Malinda and Norm moved to Indianola, IA, where she started her craft business.  Over the years, she made Barbie, Cabbage Patch, and American Girl doll clothes.  Malinda enjoyed interactions at the shows with children, parents and grandparents, especially when someone found clothes for their premature baby.

After having breast cancer in 2000, she ended the craft business and focused on making hats and scarves for chemo patients.  Her plan was to eventually shrink her fabric stash, but she never could resist fabrics that would make neat hats.  Malinda made and delivered more than 26,000 to the Stoddard, Mercy, and Bliss (Ames) Cancer Oncology units.  They knew Malinda as the "Hat Lady."  With her recent illness, she became a customer for her own hats.

Malinda is survived by her husband Norman Anderson, brother William Menhusen and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Alice (Crane) Menhusen.  Memorials may be given to the
Kiya Koda Humane Society or Helping Hand in Indianola.