Russell Norman Anderson, 80

Russell Norman Anderson, 80, of Saint Ansgar, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, at Good Samaritan Society in Saint Ansgar.

Son of Victor and Minnie (Seiler) Anderson, Russell was born June 8, 1934, at his grandparents’ home in Le Sueur, Minnesota. The family moved to the Mona, Iowa, area when Russell was a young boy. He was baptized at an early age and confirmed at Mona Lutheran Church in 1947. Russell attended country school in Mona, graduating from St. Ansgar High School in 1951. He worked as a truck driver for several years and worked for area farmers until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. His basic training was at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and he completed a two-year term at Fort Bliss, Texas. Russell was separated from active duty in February 1959. In the fall of 1959, he went to work for Almo Jahr, where he was employed for over 25 years. In 1968, he met and married Alouise Koster in Austin, Minnesota. The couple made their home in the Mona area and purchased the Anderson farm in 1977. Russell and Alouise raised three children: Alan, Susan, and Joanne. A member of Mona Lutheran Church, Russell served on the council and various boards for almost 30 years. At age 60, he was forced to retire from full-time work due to an injury, but continued to farm his land and work part-time for other farmers until his retirement. Russell and Alouise enjoyed many weekends of fishing and relaxing with family at their cabin on Jefferson Lake near Waterville. They also made several bus trips to Branson before his health began failing in later years.

Russell is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Alouise Anderson of St. Ansgar; three children: Alan Anderson of St. Ansgar, Susan (Geoff) Smith of Austin, and Joanne (Paul) Dimick of Grand Meadow; seven grandchildren: Jace, Alison, and Lucas Anderson, Alex and Isaac Smith, Hunter and Makenzie Dimick; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: many nieces, nephews; cousins; and a host of friends.