Anita (Nan / Nanny) Marie Costello

Nan was born on December 8, 1950, and she passed away after a brief battle with a vicious and aggressive type of lung cancer. Anita was preceded in death by parents, William and Anna May Costello. She is greatly missed and survived by her brothers Mike (Pam), Ed (Joan), nephews Matt, Jeff (Barb), Dan (Jodie), and niece Kim, great nephews Jordan, Caleb, Cole, and Cade, and aunt Lousetta along with many other cousins, and an abundance of friends.

Nanny was a lifetime resident of Fridley. She grew up a “Gardena Girl” on Gardena Hill. Anita worked for one employer, McGraw-Edison/Onan/Cummins-Power, for forty-five years in numerous positions. The integrity with which Anita performed her job was admired by many, and she often became a mentor to her work colleagues. You could always depend on a job done well when she was involved. Nan was working in safety and security when she retired, and she walked to work, as she owned a home in Fridley within sight of the factory.

Nan was a forty-three-year member of the Fridley, MN, American Legion Auxiliary, and over the years, she held many positions, including auxiliary president. Nanny volunteered numerous hours working on many Legion activities. She also volunteered at NACE/North Anoka County Emergency Foodshelf and Closet in East Bethel, MN. Anita was also a member of the Minnesota Horticultural Society, and she volunteered at their booth at the MN state fair.

Nanny loved people, and people loved Nanny, as she lived by the Golden Rule, and she was always fun. Anita has a host of friends from her beginnings on Gardena Hill, high school, her many years at Onan, her time as a Legion Auxiliary member, her Volunteer work at NACE, and the people she met through many other activities. These friends that Nan made through the years were dear lifelong friends, even though she might not have socialized with them as frequently as she wanted. When Nan was with people, she always made them feel like family.

Anita liked adventure and traveling, especially Ireland and Alaska. She bowled and golfed. If you asked her how her golf game was going, she would reply, "Well, the score could be a little better, but we had fun anyway”. Oddly enough, Nan bowled right-handed off her right foot, yet she maintained a 165 average. Nanny was a loyal Twins and Vikings fan, even through the many difficult years, and if the outcome wasn't in her favor, she would say, "Well, maybe next time." Nan was also a lifetime member of the Crazy Costello Clan, a filial organization.

Many people will greatly miss Nanny, and it’s okay to be sad because she’s gone. However, everyone should feel happy and lucky that Nan was in their lives. She wanted “A big party with lots of beer” after her service, and that’s what she’ll get. Please join her family to grieve and celebrate her life. Dress casually with comfort in mind for the day. There's no need to buy a brand new pair of blue jeans for this occasion. A special THANKS goes to Jan Peterson, Char Patton, and Sharon Elmquist, as they are the glue holding things together.

In lieu of flowers or money, please donate to the Fridley American Legion Post #303 or to NACE.

For legion donations, make checks payable to Fridley ALA #303, and mail to Fridley American Legion Post #303, 7365 Central Ave. NE, Fridley, MN 55432

For NACE donations, visit their website and select the donation page: https://www.nacefoodshelf.org/about-us.

Services are on March 7, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Highway 65, Fridley, MN 55432. Visitation at 1:00 PM with a memorial at 2:PM

Party immediately after services at the Fridley American Legion Post #303, 7365 Central Ave. NE, Fridley, MN 55432