Anderson, Richard E. (1923-2011)

ANDERSON, LATHROP, WESTERGREEN, NICHOLSON, THOMAS, DUNEKACKE, KNAPP, SCHABLE, DEIMERLY, COPPS, LINEGAR

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/28/2011 at 16:31:30

Richard E. Anderson
October 18, 1923 - May 25, 2011

Storm Lake, Iowa

Surrounded by his loving family, Richard Elden Anderson, age 87, passed from this world on May 25, 2011, at St. Luke's Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Born on October 18, 1923, in rural Storm Lake, Rich was the youngest of Theodore and Josephine Anderson’s seven children. While growing up, he often got into mischief with his siblings. With patience, however, he learned to work hard for his father on the family farm, now owned by his youngest daughter, Lynn.

Rich graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1941. With three brothers in the service already when World War II broke out, he had to stay Stateside to help his disabled father farm.

In 1945, he met Ruth Elaine Lathrop of Havelock, Iowa, while she was attending Buena Vista College. They were married on May 31, 1946, and built a small home on the family farm where their first daughter was born. In 1948, they rented a farm near Nemaha, Iowa, where four more daughters were born. In 1959, Rich and Ruth realized their dream of buying their own farm south of Early. Here their last daughter was born. In 1992, they moved to Storm Lake.

One of the first farmers in Sac County to terrace, Rich had a passion for agriculture. After moving to the farm south of Early, he won a State Conservation Award. In the 1980s, he served one term as Sac County Supervisor. After retiring from farming, he worked as a crop insurance adjuster. While living in Storm Lake, he became the maintenance manager of the Lakeview Manor Apartment.

Rich enjoyed competing in horseshoe tournaments, traveling to new places, visiting friends and relatives, and providing leadership and participating in community organizations. His interests included the Nemaha Methodist Church, the Early United Methodist Church, the Crestland School Board, the Early Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Odd Fellows, the Storm Lake Beavers Kiwanas, and the Storm Lake Historical Society.

Rich is survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughters, Judy Westergren, and her husband, Larry, Janet Nicholson, and her husband, Joe, Lois Thomas, Karen Dunekacke, and her husband Tom, Colleen Knapp, and her husband, Steve, and Lynnette Schable, and her husband, Ray. His grandchildren include Brenda Westergren Deimerly, David Westergren, Sarah Westergren, Andrew Nicholson, Brent Nicholson, Jason Thomas, Megan Thomas, Steve Thomas, Travis Dunekacke, Taylor Dunekacke, Tracy Dunekacke, Curtis Knapp, Jackie Knapp, Anna Knapp, Emily Knapp, Tanya Schable, and Jake Schable as well as seven great-grandchildren. His surviving siblings include Donald Anderson, and Harriet Copps; in addition to many nieces and nephews.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents; a still-born son; and siblings, Robert Anderson, Dorothy Anderson Linegar, Ivan Anderson, Clarence Anderson, and Arlo Anderson.

Visitation: 4-8:00 p.m., Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Odd Fellow Service on May 27, 2011, at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., May 28, 2011, at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Interment: May 28, 2011, at the Early Union Cemetery in Early, Iowa.

Copyright © 2011, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home

Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
 

Buena Vista Obituaries maintained by LaVern Velau.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen