Robert Anderson

Robert Carl Anderson, 74, of Ellendale, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, St. Mary's Hospital, Rochester after an 11-year courageous battle with cancer. He was born on November 2, 1936, in Jefferson, Iowa, the son of Arthur and Lucille (Hamrick) Anderson. The family moved to Byron, Illinois where Robert attended Byron High School graduating in 1955. He joined the United States Army serving from 1956-1959 in the 2nd Plt 64th Division Military Police at Nancy, France & Pirmasens, Germany. His family moved to Hope, Minnesota in 1960 where he farmed with his father. Robert worked at Jostens's, Urban Heating, and OMC and eventually went into farming full time. In 1981 he started working at Wenger's retiring in 2006. Robert met his future bride Carol Bork at First Lutheran Church of Hope where they were active in singing in the choir. Robert served as Sunday School Superintendent and also served on the church council. On September 26, 1964 he married the love of his life, Carol, at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church where they sang all their wedding songs at the union of their lives. Their faith would always be a strong part of their marriage. They would make their home on the Bork family farm near Ellendale. They were blessed with five children. Robert Carl Jr., Colleen, Kimberly, Jill & David. His family was his life and he enjoyed the trips that they took all over the United States together. He enjoyed camping, fishing, snowmobiling, watching his children play sports, singing in the choir and playing in the band. His special love of the family pets will always be remembered. He was a school bus driver for NRHEG and enjoyed doing stats for the girl's volleyball team, girl's basketball and boys basketball and doing his own special coaching from the sidelines. He also was coach for his children's 4-H softball team. He loved to tease and kid and always had a good comment for everyone. He was known to many of the kids as Bubba and enjoyed having them stop by the farm. He was preceded in death by his parents Art & Lucille Anderson, his in-laws Glenn & Leona Bork, two children Robert Carl Jr. & Colleen Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carol, daughter Kim & son-in-law Rick Schneider of Stillwater, daughter Jill Anderson & special friend Abby Olson of White Bear Lake, son David Anderson, two special granddaughters Alexis & Abagail of Ellendale and girlfriend Heidi Swearingen, Evan & Greyson. Sister Donna (and Gary) Lockwood of Aurora, Colorado, Christine (and Tom) Bedney of Byron, niece Katie Bedney of Burnsville, nephew Mark (and Linda) Bedney their son Garion of Rushford. A special cousin Bernard Anderson and his wife Carol of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and many special cousins and friends.
The Visitation will be held on Friday, January 28, 2011 at First Lutheran Church of Ellendale. The funeral will be held Saturday, January 29, 2011 at First Lutheran Church of Ellendale at 2 p.m. Burial will be held at Steele Center Cemetery.