Andersen, Earl S. "Speeny" 1913 - 2010
ANDERSEN, JOHANSEN, HARRIS, COPELAND, LITTLETON, ESBECK, CROFT, HANSEN, MILLS, ADAMS
Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 12/30/2011 at 23:10:43
Submitted by Marthann Kohl, posted by permission
Earl S. Andersen - Age 97
Earl "Speeny" Andersen, son of Andrew and Emma (Johansen) Andersen, was born on February 1, 1913, on the family farm ˝ mile east of Jacksonville, Iowa. He attended Jackson No. 5 Country School and helped on the family farm. At a young age, Earl helped to cultivate by putting a seat on the tongue and driving the horses while his brother, Dick, walked behind the cultivator.
After school, Earl played baseball with a Jacksonville team. It was there that he met his future wife, Leota.
On August 18, 1935, Earl was united in marriage to Leota Harris at the Methodist Parsonage in Harlan, Iowa. Two children were born to this union: Peggy and Jerry. After their wedding, Earl and Leota made their home in Kimballton, where Earl drove a truck for Bennie Elmquist, until moving to a farm south of Prairie Rose Lake in 1936. In 1938, Earl and Leota moved to Poplar, Iowa, where Earl trucked with his brother, Frank, before moving to the family farm in 1942, where Earl raised hogs, cattle, and sheep. Earl also was a dealer for Farmers Hybrid corn and hogs. In 1947, Earl and Leota went with a Farmers Hybrid tour to Spain and Africa.
In 1949, Earl and Leota purchased the Jacksonville Store. Free movies were shown on the east side of the storekeeper’s house and were enjoyed by many when the Andersens owned the store.
Earl had a love for baseball and was influential in getting a boys’ baseball team put together in Jacksonville and also coached many of his children’s teams. In his spare time, Earl enjoyed spending time with his family, going fishing, and playing cards.
In January 1975, Earl and Leota moved to Harlan where they worked at Pauley Funeral Home for several years and Earl served as the sexton of the Harlan Cemetery for almost seventeen years.
Earl died on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa, having attained the age of ninety-seven years, four months, and fifteen days. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of seventy-two years, Leota; and his siblings: Peter Andersen, Mathies Andersen, Dora Copeland, Mata Littleton, Roy Andersen, Frank Andersen, Elmer Andersen, Anna Esbeck, Myrtle Croft, LaVern "Buster" Andersen, and Arthur Andersen.
He is survived by his children: Peggy and her husband Rollie Hansen of Elk Horn, Iowa; Jerry Andersen and his wife Sharol of Atlantic, Iowa; seven grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren: Jakob Hansen and Eleanor Mae Mills; his sister, Arlene Adams of Kirkman, Iowa; nieces; nephews; other family members and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Iowa, with Pastor Ron Rasmussen officiating the 10:30 AM service. Interment was held at the Jacksonville Cemetery with Hollie Mills, Jennifer Cappel, and Keli Hansen acting as honorary casket bearers. Serving as casket bearers were: Doug Cappel, David Andersen, Tyler Hansen, Tanner Hansen, Scott Andersen, and Marc Andersen.
Shelby Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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