Richard E. Anderson
October 18, 1923 - May 25, 2011
Storm Lake, Iowa
Visitation: 4-8:00 p.m. Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. followed by a Odd Fellow Service May 27, 2011 at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. May 28, 2011 at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake, Iowa
Interment: May 28, 2011 at Early Union Cemetery in Early, Iowa
Richard Elden Anderson, age 87, was surrounded by his loving family at St. Luke Medical Center in Sioux City, IA when he passed from this world on May 25, 2011.
Born on October 18, 1923 in rural Storm Lake, Rich was the youngest of Theodore and Josephine Anderson’s seven children. While growing up, he got into mischief with his siblings and worked hard for his father on the farm, which is now owned by his youngest daughter, Lynn.
Rich graduated from Storm Lake High School in 1941. When World War II broke out, and with three brothers in the service, he had to stay Stateside to help his disabled father farm. In1945, he met Ruth Elaine Lathrop of Havelock, IA while she was attending Buena Vista College. They were married on May 31, 1946, and built a small home on the family farm where their first daughter was born. In 1948, they rented a farm near Nemaha, IA where four more daughters were born. In 1959, Rich and Ruth realized their dream of buying their own farm south of Early. Here their last daughter was born. In 1992, they moved to Storm Lake.
Agriculture was Rich’s passion. He was one of the first farmers in Sac County to terrace. After moving to the farm south of Early, he won a State Conservation Award. In the 1980s, he served one term as Sac County Supervisor. After retiring from farming, he worked as a crop insurance adjuster. While living in Storm Lake, he was maintenance manager of Lakeview Manor Apartment.
Rich enjoyed competing in horseshoe tournaments, traveling to new places, visiting friends and relatives, and providing leadership and participating in community organizations. They include the Nemaha Methodist Church, Early United Methodist Church, the Crestland School Board, the Early Lions Club, the Masonic Lodge, the Odd Fellows, Storm Lake Beavers Kiwanas, and the Storm Lake Historical Society.
Rich is survived by his wife, Ruth; his daughters Judy Westergren and her husband Larry, Janet Nicholson and her husband Joe, Lois Thomas, Karen Dunekacke and her husband Tom, Colleen Knapp and her husband Steve, Lynnette Schable and her husband Ray. Grandchildren include Brenda Westergren Deimerly, David Westergren, Sarah Westergren, Andrew Nicholson, Brent Nicholson, Jason Thomas, Megan Thomas, Steve Thomas, Travis Dunekacke, Taylor Dunekacke, Tracy Dunekacke, Curtis Knapp, Jackie Knapp, Anna Knapp, Emily Knapp, Tanya Schable, Jake Schable and seven great-grandchildren. Surviving siblings include Donald Anderson and Harriet Copps, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Rich was preceded in death by his parents; a still-born son; and siblings Robert Anderson, Dorothy Anderson Linegar, Ivan Anderson, Clarence Anderson and Arlo Anderson.
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