Dana Lynn Highlander-Anderson was born in Springfield, MO, on March 27, 1978, and passed away on June 23, 2026, in Bolivar, MO. 

Dana grew up in Reed Springs, where she went on to grow her love of basketball and FoxBody Mustangs. As a teenager, she worked at The Hungry Hunter waiting tables, but at night she was a standout for the Wolves’ women’s basketball team. Dana graduated from Reed Springs High School in 1996, having earned a scholarship and a spot on the College of the Ozarks’ basketball team, where she would’ve gone on to be a Highway Patrolman. However, life had other plans for her, and things would take a different direction when Loghan was born in 1997. 

In 2002, Dana started a nursing program at Springfield College, which then grew her love for healthcare. After graduation, she went to work in family medicine at Smith-Glynn Calloway for 15 years, until she started to stay home full-time due to medical issues. Staying home was hard, but being present in everything for her children was the easiest decision. 

In 2004, Dana married Mark Anderson, and a home was made. If someone were to ask us what it was like growing up, we’d tell you that we were the “hangout house.” Everyone was always welcome, no one would ever leave hungry, and you always had someone to call, whether you were her blood or not. Dana and Mark separated in 2013, and were divorced in 2022, but the “hangout house” has gone on to be something her children aspire to be for the others in their lives. 

Dana met Jason Walker in 2019, and had been engaged for 5 years. They enjoyed spending their time taking the boat out on random Saturdays, going for long drives on sunny days, trying new recipes on the grill, and hosting all of the children any chance they could get. Jason showed Dana how much she was truly loved every day, and never made her feel any less. 

Through the hardships of life, Dana loved fiercely, with a huge heart that she shared with those around her. If you ever saw Dana with her kids, you would have seen a devoted mother, who only ever wanted them to grow up and make something of themselves. One who saw her kids as her pride and joy, and greatest accomplishment.

Dana was preceded in death by her Father, Garold McCurdy.

She is survived by her daughter, Loghan Alexis Highlander, her fiancé Chandler Williams, and their son, Krue Williams; her son, Jordan Tyler Highlander, and his fiancée Jordan Rohr; her son, Zachary Allen Highlander; her fiancé Jason Walker; her brother and soul person, Bradley McCurdy; and her little brother, Nicholas Dianchrist.