Clifford Anderson

CLIFFORD WILLIS ANDERSON was born on May 24, 1920 to Oscar and Alma (Johnson) Anderson in Mount Vernon, South Dakota. He attended and graduated high school in Mount Vernon. He then attended Grand Island Business College in Nebraska for two years and then Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota for one year. In 1940, Cliff moved to Burbank, California where he built airplanes at Lockheed for two years. In 1943, he enrolled in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. In 1945, he was needed to return to his parents’ home to help on the family farm. On October 21, 1947, Clifford was united in marriage to Gladys Vosberg at American Lutheran Church in Worthington, Minnesota. Following their marriage, the couple farmed northeast of Kenneth, Minnesota for fifteen years. They then farmed near Mitchell, South Dakota for one year, before settling near Hardwick, Minnesota where they farmed the next 38 years. In 2002, the couple bought a home in Hardwick. Gladys preceded Cliff in death on November 10, 2012. In July 2013, Cliff became a resident at the Tuff Memorial Home in Hills, Minnesota where on Friday, July 29, 2016 he died peacefully at the age of 96 years, two months and five days.

Cliff was a former member of Kenneth Lutheran Church in Kenneth and currently a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He could often be found tinkering on his cars. He took enjoyment in living a simple life, working hard on the farm and providing for his family.

Cliff is lovingly remembered by his four children, Bernice Anderson of Castle Rock, Colorado, Lyle (Linda) Anderson of Luverne, Minnesota, Becky (Lowell) Siekmann of Marshall, Minnesota, and Randy (Jill) Anderson of Harrisburg, South Dakota; daughter-in-law, Shirley Anderson of Steen, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; son, Larry Anderson; parents, Oscar and Alma; and two siblings, Elvira Wiese and Harold Anderson.