Earl Anderson

Earl Lawrence Anderson was born on May 8, 1926 in Elkton, SD where he grew up. He was the son of Harry and Elda (Bergman) Anderson. On August 21, 1948, he married Donna Domke at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, MN. Earl met Donna in 1943, prior to enlisting in the United States Navy on February 4, 1944. During World II, he proudly served our country in the South Pacific Theatre. During his tour of duty, he was commissioned as a Coxswain, First Class on the USS LST-223, one of the first LST's to land on the shore of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, the largest battle in Naval history. He later served aboard the USS Midway and was honorably discharged on April 25, 1947. After the war, Earl and Donna settled in Sleepy Eye, where he worked as a talented cabinet maker. In 1957, they moved to Albert Lea and Earl began his career as a journeyman electrician, spanning over 31 years. He was employed at Bailey Electric, later known as Bailey Mills Thompson Electric. His professional work was well known in the community by many of his colleagues and local businesses. Through the decades, some of Earl's projects included the Albert Lea Airport, Good Samaritan Center, Calvary Baptist Church, Shady Oaks Apartments, and Hy-Vee Food Stores. Late in his career, his focus became ice rink chillers which were shipped worldwide. Earl was a natural at inventing and building things. Over the years, he spent much of his leisure time hunting, fishing, and camping. He will be remembered for his ingenuity, integrity, and for being a provider of sound advice. Earl is survived by his three daughters, Barbara (Douglas) Sparks of Hugo, MN, Jerri (Steven) Liebhard of Sheboygan, WI, and Karen (Timothy) Schultz of Sheboygan. Three granddaughters (Jaclynn, Kristine and Michelle Sparks), five grandsons (William, Andrew, Jonathan, David and Daniel Liebhard), and two step-grandsons (Steven and Michael Liebhard). One sister (Evelyn Dexter), and two brothers and four sister-in-laws (Gerald and Sandra Anderson), (Duane and Joyce Anderson), (Lillian Anderson), and (Nette Anderson). He was preceded in death by his wife Donna in 1994, his parents, three brothers, Harold, Donald, Marlen, and his brother-in-law Eldon.