Douglas George ANDERSON, Sr.

ANDERSON, JOHNSON, SEVERSON, TREAT, HATTING, BASTYR

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/12/2012 at 23:03:17

September 15, 1919 ---- November 24, 2012

Douglas George Anderson Sr., passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at the Good Samaritan Village in Mt. Lake at the age of 93. Doug graciously bequeathed his earthly body to the Anatomical Bequest Program at the University of Minnesota after which he will be interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The family will hold a memorial service for friends and relatives at Bethel Mennonite Church, Mt. Lake, at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012. Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice. Sturm Funeral Home in Mt. Lake assisted the family with arrangements.

Doug was born Sept. 15, 1919, in International Falls (Koochiching County) to Charles Albert and Millie (Johnson) Anderson, the eldest of five brothers and one sister. He grew up in Littlefork, graduating from Littlefork High School in 1937. Doug attended the University of Minnesota and received his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture (animal husbandry). During his first year of teaching at Clarissa, he was inducted into the U.S. Army where he attended Adjutant General and Counter Intelligence School.
After receiving his honorable discharge, he spent a short time on the Red Lake Reservation and assisted in setting up a cannery with spare government parts. Eight years were then spent as a Veteran’s-On-The-Farm agriculture instructor in Koochiching County. He loved animals and spent many a day and night caring for them as there was not a veterinarian in the area.

Another eight years were served as Koochiching County Superintendent of Schools. In 1958 he received his Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota in agriculture education/school administration. Doug was superintendent of schools three years at Felton; three years at Renwick, Iowa (Boone Valley Community); and seven years at Coon Rapids, Iowa. In 1976, he returned to Minnesota and served 6 1/2 years as superintendent at Mt. Lake Public School, retiring in 1983. He was a member of the Iowa State Education Association and the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

Throughout his life, much time was spent as a volunteer. Doug was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church where he served on various committees. He also served as a farm mediator during the farm crisis of the 1980s, spent a number of years on the RSVP advisory board, worked for the establishment of a senior center in Mt. Lake, worked hard on the hospital board, served four years on the advisory board of the Mt. Lake Good Samaritan Village, a member of Prudence Lodge, Windom, adjutant of Mt. Lake American Legion Post 389 for 10 years and a 25-year Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow.

As a Master Gardener, Doug enjoyed sharing his knowledge and expertise with others in addition to the fruits of his labor. He especially loved growing and sharing his raspberries and bushes with others. Other hobbies included tree farming, golfing, fishing and hunting.

Douglas and Sharmelyn Severson were married Aug. 21, 1954, at the Mission Covenant Church in International Falls. This marriage was blessed with four children: Douglas Jr., Janet, Judith, and Susan. Doug is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Sharmelyn “Sharmie” of Mt. Lake; son, Douglas (Melanie) Anderson Jr., Marion, Iowa; daughters: Janet (Steve) Treat, Maple Grove; Judith (Wayne) Hatting, Chanhassen; and Susan (Mike) Bastyr, Shoreview; brother, Charles (Sally) Anderson, Kansas City, Kan.; sister, Carol Anderson, St. Paul; beloved grandchildren: Christopher (Ania), Ryan and Nathaniel Anderson, Nicholas and Tyler Treat, Kristin Hatting, Samuel Bastyr and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Stanton, Dale and Jack; and grandson, Matthew Charles Anderson.

Mountain Lake Observer - Mountain Lake, Minnesota
12 December 2012