Robert William Anderson, 91, Luverne, died Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
A funeral service was Tuesday, March 29, 2016, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Burial of cremains will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Robert Anderson was born Dec. 26, 1924, to Arthur and Anna (Meier) Anderson in Worthington. He grew up on a farm in Brewster. He was baptized on Jan. 25, 1925, and confirmed on June 5, 1938, all at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brewster. He graduated from Brewster High School in 1942. He then worked various jobs in Worthington until he enlisted in the United States Army in 1943. He served in the European Theater-Infantry-101st Airborne-Paratrooper, participating in the Siege of Bastogne, which was part of the larger Battle of the Bulge. He was a purple heart recipient with four bronze battle stars and a combat infantry badge. He was honorably discharged in March 1946.
He returned to Worthington and married Reva Wagar on June 25, 1947, at Church of the Brethren in Reading. He attended Mankato Technical School for radio repair and maintenance, graduating in 1949. Robert owned and operated Andy’s TV & Radio from 1951 to 1962 in Worthington. The family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1962, where Robert received training by Lutheran Lay Training Institute at Concordia College. He then worked as a lay pastor at Layton Park Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. The family moved to Luverne in 1970. He then worked for AAL/Thrivent until 1986 when he retired. In retirement, the couple enjoyed time in Arizona and at their Lake Benton home, returning to Luverne in 1994. His wife, Reva, died June 1, 2010. In June of 2015 Robert entered the care of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne.
Robert was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Luverne, and for years he was involved in the Lutheran Layman’s League. He was also a member of Luverne’s “Last Man Club” of World War II Veterans. Robert enjoyed fishing while at their cabin in Lake Benton, hunting, playing cards, woodcarving, bowling, and telling jokes. He was a parade clown during their time in Worthington. He played harmonica and guitar and was known for his famous dog bark.
He is survived by four children, Robert (Elizabeth) Anderson, Custer, South Dakota, Russell (Harriet) Anderson, Palm Coast, Florida, Renae (Jerry) Reu, Luverne, and Randall (Polly) Anderson, Adel, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Reva; his parents; one sister, Marjorie Voss; and a grandson, Bradley Anderson.
Arrangements were by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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