Richard Gordon Anderson (1939-2015)

ANDERSON, OLSON, FISHER, SPENCE, ELSBERRY

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 9/26/2015 at 12:34:17

Obituary From Adams Soderstrum Funeral Home, Story County, Iowa.

Richard Gordon Anderson was born to Arnold and Florence (Hanson) Anderson on September 21, 1939. He grew up in Randall, where he delivered papers to many residents of Randall in his younger years. He graduated from Randall High School in 1957 and joined the U.S. Air Force. Prior to being deployed to Okinawa, Japan, Richard married his high school sweetheart, Hannah Ann (Olson), on Oct. 4, 1958, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Jewell. He served in Okinawa until 1960, and was then stationed in Minot, N.D., until his honorable discharge in 1962. After his service in the USAF, he worked for many years at Industrial Processing in Ames, owned and operated “Richie’s 66” gas station in Jewell, and later Randall-Story Heating and Air Conditioning until he retired in 2004.

The joy in his life was the time he spent at his cabin in northern Minnesota, where he loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, shooting guns, tinkering on projects, gardening, and riding his 4-wheeler through the woods. He found great satisfaction in fixing things, especially if someone said it couldn’t be fixed. He was blessed with a great sense of humor and always had something to say — he was seldom at a loss for words. Richard always loved chatting with anyone over a good cup of coffee. Richard was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He was a member of Stavanger Free Lutheran Church in Garden City, having served in several leadership positions at the churches he attended over the years. He was very active in the Gideons International. His heart’s desire was for everyone to know Jesus and would share that any time he had a chance.

Richard G. Anderson, 75, passed away Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at Israel Family Hospice House after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. In honoring Richard’s wishes, his body has been donated to science.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 56 years; his son, Todd (Lynn) Anderson, of Mooresville, N.C.; his daughters, Sonja (David) Fisher and Michele (Kenny) Spence, both of Story City; six grandsons, Corey (Sharon) Anderson, Christopher (Meghan) Anderson, Kyle Anderson, Jacob (Danielle) Fisher, Lucas Fisher and Adam Spence; one granddaughter, Mara Spence; and one great-granddaughter, Sophia Anderson; one sister, Betty Ann Elsberry, of Ames; two brothers, Dennis (Sara) Anderson, of Carroll and Darrell (Deb) Anderson, of Gilbert; one sister-in-law, Sylvia Anderson, of Omaha, Neb.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother DeWayne and one grandson Ryan Spence.

Celebration of Life
AUG 25. 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Elim Lutheran Church
350 4th Street
Randall, IA, US, 50231

http://www.adamssoderstrum.com/
 

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