Obituary of Harry Anderson

Anderson: Harry James Anderson passed away peacefully in the Lloydminster Hospital on Thursday, September 29, 2011 at the age of 94 years. The funeral service was conducted from the First Lutheran Church on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Howard Ulmer officiating. The active pallbearers were Shawn Anderson, Jason and Tara Anderson, Ryan Anderson, Amy Anderson, Lori and Andrew Craig, Darren and Joy Christianson, Nevin and Kyla Purser and Dana Purser. The interment was held in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY Harry James Anderson was born on November 20, 1916 in Fosston, Minnesota. He was the oldest of ten children born to John and Mina Anderson. The family moved to the Dina District area to settle in 1921. He attended Park Valley School, staying much of that time with his Grandma Veltikold as she lived close by. Twenty out of the twenty-two students that attended Park Valley spoke Norwegian and the rule was "no Norwegian to be spoken inside the school", but on the playground the Norwegian's ruled! He changed to the Oxville School the last years of his education, then quitting in his 8th year, because he was needed to help support the family; working then for neighbors. A couple of the jobs were his own wood sawing outfit and portable grain grinding. His favorite job was breaking horses for riding and driving and this also led to being a pickup man at local rodeos, most of them on the Battle River flat. In the early 40's, Grandpa drove for Charlie and Johnny MacKay, hauling freight from Lloydminster to Paradise Valley, McLaughlin and Rivercourse. They graveled the central Lloydminster streets, having to shovel loads on and off by hand, and also hauled barrels of oil and gas from the Dina refinery; south of Djuffs, to Lloydminster and District farmers. These were some of the many trucking jobs. Grandpa met my Grandma, Ruby Leifson, at the ski jump by the Battle River and were married on January 31, 1944. They then were farming and every fall had a custom threshing outfit and hired crews who travelled around the district and lived in bunk houses. Harvest still remained his favorite time of the year for Grandpa and he often talked about the grain dryer days with the Nicholsons and Dobsons. Grandpa taught himself to cord on the guitar and in the early 50's performed at a few amateur nights which were broadcasted on North Battle River Radio, usually for a charity fundraiser. He said he was always sick to his stomach before he had to go on stage. Some of us inherited that! Harry and Ruby had three children: Lyle, Linda and Lois. They worked hard to raise their family but taking off most Sunday's to visit with family and friends. It wasn't until they had been married for 8 years that they had their first holiday; a 5 week trip with Lyle and Linda in a new 1951 International truck to New York State visiting many relatives along the way. Grandpa always said this was his favorite trip. This was their so called 'Honeymoon'. Many more family trips to the States and mountains were taken together. Most of you have heard of the 'Storm of Dec '55' where Grandpa and Grandma ended up having 40 children and adults staying 1 to 2 nights in their new house. Grandpa had to pick them up, going through the field, taking a few trips, about a mile south of home. My mom, Lois, wasn't born yet but feels like she was there, hearing this story so many times. It turned out to be a great memory for our family. Grandpa was a director on the Seed Cleaning Plant board for 26 years, lifetime member of the Elks, and involved in the Zion Lutheran Church board throughout his life. He loved attending and taking part in the community events from parade marshal to grandchildren's sports and concerts. Harry was predeceased by his parents John and Mina, four brothers: Burnett, Elmer, Johnny and Roy; sister Alice Coleman; granddaughter Megan Purser and his wife Ruby. He leaves to mourn - his family: Lyle and Carol, Shawn, Tori, Jason and Tara, Autumn, Gracie and Caden, Ryan and Amy Anderson, Linda and Bill Christianson, Lori and Andrew, Sydney and Allisyn Craig, Darren and Joy, Eric, April and Melissa Christianson, Neil and Lois, Nevin and Kyla Carys and Dana Purser. Four sisters: Jeanette Nelson, Bertha (and Ken) Brassington, Gladys (and Bill) Quinn, and Shirley McLean. Two sisters-in-law: Joan Anderson and Lois Anderson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended relatives in Canada and in the US. After Grandma's passing in 1998, Grandpa continued to live on the farm til 2001 when he made the decision to move into the new Hemstock Assisted Living Home. He was proud to say he was the first person to sign up and move in. His positive attitude prevailed; he made the best of things, deciding on his own when he shouldn't be driving anymore. He maintained good health til 2009 when he was hospitalized (only for the 2nd time in his 92 years). From there he moved to the Dr. Cooke Extended care facility. He took this too in stride and enjoyed his new freedom with his motorized wheels. He was free to come and go and if you were up and out before 7 am you'd see Grandpa going for his morning tour around the block (which was most every summer day or as long as the temperature was above freezing!) September 17th he was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia and heart issues and passed away quietly early last Thursday morning. Grandpa never needed a hearing aid, he had the best memory and had a strong constitution with deep dedication to his family. He loved when friends and relatives took time to stop for visits and enjoyed reminiscing about old times. These meant a lot to him. Some of his proudest times were when a child, grandchild, or great grandchild was born. He loved to hold new babies. He always said (in his words, about all of his family) that he didn't have a 'dud' in the bunch! Goodbye Grandpa - We love you and we will miss you! CARD OF THANKS The family of the late Harry Anderson wish to express sincere appreciation for messages of sympathy, phone calls, visits, foods, flowers and donations made all in memory of Dad. We would especially like to thank Dr's Chan and Kostic, the 3rd floor nursing staff for their compassionate care of Dad, Dr. Cooke nursing and recreation staff for the friendship and care, and to Brenda Servold for her kindness. Thank you to Pastor Howard Ulmer for his heartfelt service and regular visits to Dad, to Brenda Findlay the organist and to Brianne Bergerud for her beautiful violin solo. Love and thanks to Nevin for giving Grandpa's eulogy. Thank you to the Zion Lutheran and First Lutheran ladies for the delicious and plentiful lunch. Finally, thank you to Glenn and Dave McCaw and staff for their compassion, guidance, friendship and professional care. Lyle, Carol Anderson Linda, Bill Christianson Lois, Neil Purser and families Donations in memory of Harry may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, Dr. Cooke Patient Comfort Fund or to a charity of the donors choice.