Anderson, Elmer F. 1918-2005

ANDERSON, HARKNESS, CONNER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/13/2007 at 13:09:00

AKRON, Iowa -- Elmer F. Anderson, 86, of Akron died Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005, at Akron Care Center.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church E.L.C.A. in Akron, with the Rev. Jean Morse officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Albert E. Hoschler Post 186 of Akron. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today, with the family present after 6 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Carlsen Funeral Home-Schroeder Chapel in Akron.

Elmer Ferdinand Anderson was born Sept. 12, 1918, in Union County, S.D., the son of Ferdinand and Hannah (Harkness) Anderson. He attended school near Alcester, S.D. Following school, he helped his family on the farm.

At the age of 24, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was a member of the 1st Division, serving during World War II. He served his country during five campaigns in World War II including, the D-Day Invasion of Normandy along the shores of France. On Nov. 17, 1944, his feet were injured when he was hit by a mortar shell while in the forests of Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1946. Following his return to the states, he continued to farm.

He was united in marriage to Jean Conner on July 29, 1956, in Glidden, Iowa. The couple continued to farm in Union County, S.D. for many years. Jean passed away April 14, 1980. For the past few years, he had been a resident of the Akron Care Center.

He was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church, helping with the destruction of the church and the construction of the new one in 1968. He also was a former member of the church council. He was a member of the American Legion Alfred E. Hoschler Post 186.

He was an avid fan of his daughter's and later his granddaughter's sporting events. He enjoyed having coffee with his buddies at Sheveland's Welding Repair in Akron for many years. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially his daughters, granddaughters and many friends.

Survivors include two daughters, Cynthia Anderson of Akron and Julia and her husband, James Hughes of Alcester, S.D.; three granddaughters, Jean, JoSandra and Jenna Hughes; a sister, Thelma Dams of Muskego, Wis.; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a brother, Lesley Anderson.

Pallbearers will be Rick Anderson, Dave Appley, Gordon Kleihauer, Robert Conner, Dennis Conner, Glenn Stovall, Clark Conner and Lyle Jeffries. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Utesch, Vernie Olson, Virgil Smith, Wayne Sheveland, Vernon Jurgensen, Varold Voss, Ray Andresen and Harold Kleihauer.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collection; source: Sioux City Journal]