Kermit Jorgen Anderson (1910-1999)

ANDERSON, MATHISON, ROEPKE, ANDERSON, NADY, PURCELL, BISHOP

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/28/2014 at 00:16:20

From Nevada Journal December 16, 1999

Kermit Jorgen Anderson
April 20, 1910 to Dec. 11, 1999

Kermit Jorgen Anderson, 89, of Nevada, died of renal failure Saturday, Dec. 11, at Story County Long Term Care in Nevada, where he had been a resident for the past 12 years.

He was born on April 20, 1910, in a farm house north of Nevada to Hans and Matilda (Mathison) Anderson. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1929 and attended Drake University in Des Moines. He married Elizabeth Ann Roepke of Oelwein on July 3, 1936. He gane working his way through school playing in orchestras and eventually started his own band. Even though Kermit suffered a lasting leg injury from Polio when he was young, he fought in the Golden Gloves in Des Moines.

He was always involved in community activities in Nevada and Story County. His work career included Crows Hybrid Seeds, the Nevada Evening Journal, Mathison Motors and Staley Feeds. As president of the Nevada National Bank, he had the opportunity to help many young farmers, and started the Story County Produce class at the annual County 4-H Fair, which promoted locally raised livestock. His love of the land and outdoor activities occupied his leisure time. Kermit enjoyed horseback riding, hunting, fishing and golfing and loved music. He was member of the Indian Creek Country Club, a Shriner, several bridge clubs, a lifelong member of Memorial Lutheran Church, past president of Rotary, a 50-year Mason and was instrumental in the building of the Story County Courthouse.

He is survived by a son, David F. (and Stephanie) Anderson of Nevada; four grandchildren, Lisa (and Chris) Nady of Nevada, Brian (and JoAnna), Jeff (and Robbie) and Greg; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Molly Purcell of Memphis, Tenn., and Fred Bishop of Des Moines.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Albert in 1964, and his wife, Betty, on March 18, 1976.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada with Pastor Myron D. Herzberg officiating. Burial followed in the Nevada Municipal Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established. Chet Ryan Mortuary, Nevada, handled arrangements.