Leslie Anderson

Leslie "Les" Franklin Anderson, age 94, of Madelia, MN, was called to his eternal rest on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at Madelia Health - Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Service will be held at the Albion Lutheran Church, rural St. James on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 11:00 am, with visitation prior to the funeral from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the church.

The clergy will be Rev. Robert Springer. Interment will be at the Albion Lutheran Cemetery in St. James.

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Leslie Franklin was born March 24, 1930 to Leonard and Madge (Gibson) Anderson at home in rural Comfrey where he attended country school.  Les married JoAnn Blekestad on May 28, 1956 at Sioux Falls, SD.  After they married, they lived in the country in the St. James and La Salle area.  Les worked with farmers as a handyman from 1956-1973 and then worked at La Salle Farmers Grain Elevator as a mechanic, known as "Mr. Goodwrench" from 1973-1995.  He retired in 1995 but went back to part time until 2012.  He enjoyed helping people out, gardening, yard work, putting Christmas lights up outside, bus tours, camping, bird watching, Polka music, and having a few beers with friends.  He was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and a Vikings fan. He took great pride in his 1929 model A Truck, which grandkids called the "parade truck". Les had two strokes in 2014 and had to move to Madelia, and in 2023 made the move to Living Meadows at Luther in Madelia.  He enjoyed his visits with Jake and his five daughters, grandkids, great-grandkids and great-great-grandkids.

Les is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, JoAnn Anderson of Madelia; daughters, Dee (Wayne) Hartwig, Doris Dougherty, Deb (Mike) Schoen, Peggy (Arden) Keech; 13 grandchildren, Patricia (Kyle) Gustafson, Kristina (Tim) Illies, Peter (Amanda) Hartwig, Leslie (Tara) Tierney, Sheila (Keith) Kilmer, Lance (Anne) Dougherty, Robin (Randy) Olson, Nicole (Jeff Olson) Gleason, Angelia (Clint Farley) Vosberg, Paul (Kristen) Schoen, Melissa (Chris) Schultz, Mike (Danette Breitbarth) Keech, Chad (Amanda) Keech; 26 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Madge Anderson; parents-in-law, Evan and Bessie Blekestad; daughter, Betty Jo Gronewald; great-grandson, Blake H. Hartwig; 2 brothers; 3 sisters-in-law; 3 brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.