Vernon Anderson

Vernon Franklin Anderson was born July 6, 1919, in Bashaw Township, the son of Clarence and Prudence (Elg) Anderson. He attended Comfrey Public Schools and was a 1938 graduate of Comfrey High School. After graduation he worked for Tri-County Co-op in Darfur as a bookkeeper. Vernon was united in marriage to Margaret Berlin on October 10, 1944, at East Sveadahl Lutheran Church. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on October 20, 1941, and served as a Medical Corp. Tech. until his Honorable Discharge on December 11, 1945. Vernon drove a gas transport truck for Tri-County Co-op from 1946-1950 before buying the grocery store in Comfrey. He operated the grocery store until 1960 when he went to work for Sunshine Bisquit Co. in Watertown, MN. Vernon returned to Comfrey in 1967 and worked at the Peoples State Agency until his retirement in 1985. Of all his jobs, the People's State Agency was his favorite. He was a member of New Hope Lutheran Church and served on the church board, an American Legion member for 62 years, treasurer for Lutheran Brotherhood, and served as secretary and treasurer for the Lions Club. Vernon also was a volunteer fireman, enjoyed driving the Senior Citizens, and delivering Meals-on-Wheels. He enjoyed fishing, working in his workshop, and watching the Twins and Vikings. He especially enjoyed his family and cooking chicken on the grill. Vernon Anderson died Monday, February 8, 2010, after a massive stroke in August at Countryside Senior Living in Sioux City, IA. He is survived by wife Margaret; children- Coleen and husband Tom Savage of Hornick, IA, and Charles J. and wife Terry Anderson of San Diego, CA; grandchildren- Cory (Shelly) Savage of Sgt. Bluff, IA, Connie (Leo) Frokic of Eastchester, NY, Christa (Bryan) Mesz of Sioux City, IA, Carla (Joe) Bleil of Maricopa, AZ, and Jennifer Anderson and James Anderson of San Diego, CA; great-grandchildren- Corey and Karen Savage, Ashley and Hailey Savage, Eleanora, Luka and Emilia Frokic, Jace, Bailey and Brylee Bleil, and Jolee and Kaylee Mesz; great-great-grandchildren- Rashelle and Marcus Savage; brother Roger (Vonnie) Anderson of Alexandria, MN; sister Evone (Alfred) Zwaschka of Sleepy Eye; sister-in-law Mavis Anderson of Minneapolis; brother-in-law Joel Berlin of St. James; sister-in-law Marian (Jim) Stradtman of Glenwood, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Eldon Anderson; 3 sisters-in-law; and 1 brother-in-law. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched.