In Memory of George D. Anderson, Jr.
George Dewey Anderson Jr., age 87, of Mora passed away September 10, 2008 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, September 15th at Strike Funeral Home - Cambridge Chapel. A visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 14th also at our Cambridge Chapel.
George was born on May 15, 1921 to Alice (Alm) and Dewey Anderson in Athens Township, Isanti County. He grew up and was raised on the farm. At 17 he bought his first farm, raising livestock and trapping. On March 25, 1944 he married the love of his life, June Lillion. They had 4 children, Barbara, Sandra, Craig and Cleve. George and June were married 64 years.
Besides Athens Township they also farmed in Carmody and the Crown area. George also worked at TCAAP and driving school bus for District 15. He was a carpenter, designing many of the families homes. They also owned Spectacle Lake Resort and St. Francis Feed Store.
George died on September 10, 2008 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 25 days. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Cleve and great-grandson, Tyler Nelson.
George is survived by his wife, June of Mora; 2 daughters, Barbara (Charles) Erickson of Isanti, Sandra Martin and Lance of Wyoming, Minnesota; son, Craig (Laurie) Anderson of Big Fork; 7 grandchildren, Shelley (John) Nelson, Kimberly (Bill) Nelson, Stacey Dreessen, Kevin (Kim) Dreessen, Jeff Martin, Brian Anderson and Matt Anderson; 7 great-grandchildren, Christen, Nicole, Sammy, Alley, Colton, Cassie and Diana; 1 great-great-grandson, Logan Nelson; 1 sister, Audrae (Carlyle) Gardner of Mesa, Arizona; 1 brother, Richard (Ann) Anderson of Waite Park; and many other relatives and friends.
Dearest June and family,
How saddened we are to hear of George’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am flooded with memories of all the good times with George. His quiet dignity and gentle humor, his kindness to a little girl, his charming stories of when Grandpa Eph and Dewey were young….how I will miss him!
I know there will be great comfort in looking into the eyes of his children, grandchildren and great grand children and seeing his legacy of love. He will always hold such a special place in my heart.
Jeanie
What do I remember of George? A gentle, kind, quiet man who exuded love. His wonderful story about the flying saucer and how I remembered thinking, “this is a man who could never make that up so knowing it was totally true.” The way he looked at June as if he had never seen anything quite so beautiful. Dinners at Ken and Elizabeth’s bountiful table. Lots of laughter.
These things live in my heart and mind. Thank you for sharing him with Loren and Me.
Love, Kathryn
In addition to the memories mentioned by my cousins,
I specially loved to hear (my mom’s first cousin) George (son of my grandma’s youngest brother) tell about his grandpa and grandma, Charles and Betsy Anderson. From him I learned that Betsy was the farmer, while Charles worked in the Twin Cities at a machine shop (I never would have known that, assuming Charles was the farmer!). If only time had allowed, I could have listened to the stories of the old days until George ran out of ideas. Such sweet memories he shared, and the wonderful insights it gave me about the heritage of faith passed down through the generations. To God be the glory for the time He lent George to all of us. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. We look forward with eager anticipation to the family reunion that George is now enjoying. Thanks be to God!
I remember how as a child I somehow knew that George was a good guy, someone safe,honest,caring. George will always have a special place in my childhood memories. Now as an adult I can see what a very good,honest Christian man he was and I thank God for having known him.
I agree with Edy in the certain faith that George is having a wonderful reunion up in heaven, a reward he richly deserves.