Emma Olson (Carlson) Anderson was born on November 26, 1893, in Hovmansbygd, Blekinge, Sweden. She graduated from the Augustana Infant Nursery School in Chicago in 1920. Emma was married to Albert Anderson and they farmed for many years in the Sycamore area. The couple had one son, Thorald. 

Emma worked as an infant nurse, was a member of the First Lutheran Church in DeKalb and a member of the Naomi Circle of the church. 

The Emma Anderson Fund was created in 1998 after Emma’s death on June 4, at the age of 104. The Fund was created to support scholarships for Kishwaukee Community College students with preference given to student athletes particularly from Sycamore High School. Through the Emma Anderson Fund, her memory stays alive and continues to leave a legacy of love and support to the community.