Anderson, Arden "Lefty" 1930-2008

ANDERSON, CARLSON, DORALE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/22/2008 at 10:23:05

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, September 18, 2008

Arden "Lefty" Anderson, 78, of Le Mars, died on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Arden Roy "Lefty" Anderson was born on March 25, 1930 in rural Spink, South Dakota, the son of Ed and Martha (Carlson) Anderson. He moved to the Le Mars, Iowa area as a young boy. Lefty was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars.

Lefty began his career in meat packing in 1948 at Swift and Company in Sioux City. He was inducted in the United States Army on January 25, 1952. Lefty served during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal prior to his Honorable Discharge on January 14, 1954.

On May 5, 1979 Lefty and Carol Dorale, of Kingsley, were united in marriage at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Swift and Co. closed in 1985 so Lefty went to work for the City of Le Mars mowing the city cemeteries. He took great pride in his caretaking and his respect for others showed in his work.

Lefty was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars and assisted with Meals on Wheels Bethlehem Revisited. He was a life member of the VFW and a life member of Wasmer Post #241 of the American Legion. Lefty earned his 50 year Legion Pin in 2002, was the leader of the Firing Squad and assisted with the annual Avenue of the Flags at Memorial Day. He was extremely proud of his service to his country and his evolvement with the American Legion and VFW. He was also a member of the Eagles Club in Le Mars and helped with Fish Fry's. In his younger years, Lefty was an exceptional fast pitch softball player. He pitched to his twin brother Ritey. He later became an avid Kansas City Royals baseball fan. He was played and won may pool tournaments throughout the years. Lefty was also involved with the Boy Scout newspaper drives. Lefty was a friend to many and was always there to lend a helping hand whenever he was needed. His four cats were like children to Lefty, especially his black and white cat Oreo.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 29 years, Carol of Le Mars; two sisters Darleen and Tim Wilson of Osceola, and Jeannie Anderson of Sacramento, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters Delores Schweitzer and Doreen Johnson; and a twin brother Arlen "Ritey" Anderson.

Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars with military honors provided by Wasmer Post #241. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral.