Ray Earl ANDERSON

ANDERSON, THOMPSON, KISELY, KLEIN, DAVIS, SMITH, KLEIN-SMITH, MOHN, ENGEL, AYRES, BURT, RICHARDSON, GAVETTE, MCENTAFFER, KITTENGER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/31/2013 at 11:28:03

April 3, 1925 --- December 25, 2013

Ray "Andy" Earl Anderson, 88, Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Winner, SD, began his sentimental journey with the Lord on Wednesday, December 25, 2013, at Southridge Healthcare in Sioux Falls.

Ray was born April 3, 1925, at Ravinia, SD, to Nels and Christine (Thompson) Anderson. He was the oldest of 14 children. He attended Ravinia High School until the age of 17 when he was needed in the fields to help with harvest. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943. During WWII, because of his small size, he was given the position of a tail gunner. While in the Navy, he acquired the nickname of "Andy." He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He married Georgine "Georgie" Kisely on September 19, 1946, in Eagle Grove, IA. They moved to Mitchell, SD, where he worked for a dry cleaner and a gas station. Being a person who enjoyed using his hands, Andy enrolled in watch repair school in Denver, CO, and received his diploma for watch repair. He moved to Parkston, SD, to start a jewelry business with his brother-in-law. Andy decided he wanted to own his own store, so he moved the family to Tripp, SD. He then had an opportunity to purchase the Parkston Jewelry Store from his brother-in-law, so the family moved back there and established Andy's Jewelry in 1951. Andy was looking for an opportunity to grow his jewelry business and took a trip with his family to Colorado to explore buying another store. On the way home, they drove through Winner, SD. The next day Andy called Mrs. Allers, the owner of a jewelry store in Winner, for a business offer. In February 1963, Andy and his family moved to Winner, SD. In 1965, a fire damaged the jewelry store and he relocated the business down the street. In 1966, Andy purchased the only other jewelry store in Winner from Joe Flora and relocated to 3rd and Main where it remained until the business closed. Andy and Georgie worked together in the jewelry business until April 1967 when their son-in-law, Steve, joined in doing watch repair work with Andy. In 1999 Steve and Joan Davis purchased Andy's Jewelry and Andy semi-retired. Andy continued to own and operate Anderson U-Stor-It and eventually sold to his two daughters and sons-in-law.

In July 2008 Andy and Georgie moved to Sioux Falls to be closer to their doctors. Georgie passed away on March 14, 2010. Andy was a volunteer fireman for both the Parkston and Winner Fire Departments and served as fire chief for both (Winner for 15 years). He enjoyed bowling and sponsoring both a men's and women's league. He was an avid golfer, walker, hunter, and blood donor. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce receiving many awards, VFW, Elks Lodge, American Legion, Christ Lutheran Church usher, and a proud member of Rotary International and served as their sergeant-at-arms for several years.

Happy to have shared his life are his four children Joan (Steve) Davis, Winner, SD; David (Jean) Anderson, Casper, WY; Linda (Dave) Klein, Pierre, SD; and Derry (Sheila) Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD. His eight grandchildren: Steven (Cora) Davis, Cordell (Melissa) Davis, Delvet (Mitch) Anderson; Samantha (Bill) Capshaw, David Anderson, Jr.; Kimberly (Doug) Klein-Smith, Nicole Klein, and Kara (Troy) Mohn; fourteen great grandchildren; four brothers: Niel (Wanda) Anderson, Delmont, SD; Jack (Norma) Anderson, Mt. Vernon, SD; Jim (Jeanne) Anderson, Mitchell, SD; and Winkie (Judy) Anderson, Glendale, AZ; five sisters: Anita Engel, Sioux Falls, SD; Eileen Ayres, Kalispel, MT; Lois Burt, Ft. Worth, TX; Joyce (Dick) Richardson, Sioux Falls, SD; and Jeanne Gavette, Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Georgine; his parents; and four sisters: Naomi McEntaffer; Betty Anderson, Ardis Anderson, and Karen Kittenger.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at 10:30 AM at Christ Lutheran Church in Winner. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Lake Andes at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 4, 2014. Visitation will be Friday, January 3, 2014, beginning at 4:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM prayer service, at Mason Funeral Home in Winner. Memorials are being collected by the family and will be donated to the Winner Fire Department in Andy's honor and can be mailed to 4930 South Western Avenue, Suite 200, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.

The Argus Leader - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
December 31, 2013