Harry C. Anderson

Harry C. Anderson, 93, of Stephen, MN, passed away Thursday, February 11, 2016, at Valley Home Assisted Living, Thief River Falls, MN.

Harry Chester Anderson was born April 6, 1922, in Eagle Point Township, Marshall County, MN, to Gustaf W. and Ella (Erickson) Anderson. Harry was raised in rural Stephen. Harry attended the Rud District School where he completed the eighth grade. He was awarded an honorary GED from Stephen High School in 2013.

On October 31, 1942, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Navy along with a boyhood friend, Marshal Fering. He attended and completed diesel school at the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL. From there Harry attended firefighter's school in Norfolk, VA. He was assigned to the destroyer U.S.S. Gilmore where he served for 28 months. While on the U.S.S. Gilmore, he saw action at the Mariana Islands, Midway, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and mainland Japan. His destroyer was credited with sinking three Japanese submarines. Harry was a member of the shakedown crew to Hawaii. The U.S.S. Gilmore was the first destroyer to have radar. Harry then served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Mindoro. He was a plank owner on both the destroyer and the aircraft carrier. He served in both the North and the South Pacific campaigns. Harry earned the rank Motor Machinist's Mate - 1st Class. He was honorably discharged on January 1, 1946.

Harry married Hazel Nelson on April 14, 1948, at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Stephen, MN. They made their home on the farm in rural Stephen. To this union, six children were born: Arlan, Anita, Renae, Mariette, Cynthia, and Gregory. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in 2014.

Harry farmed west of Stephen where he mainly raised wheat, barley, and oats, Besides farming, he worked the summer months doing custom ditching and custom hay baling for area farmers. He worked at different times during the winter months with American Crystal Sugar in Drayton, ND, Jorgensen Implement and also for Halfmann Ford in Stephen. Harry was a life long member of Stephen American Legion Post 390.

Harry is survived by his children, Arlan (Nancy Alexander), Baudette, MN; Anita (Clark) Hendrickson, Thief River Falls, MN; Renae (Jim) Seibel, Thief River Falls, MN; Mariette (Brad) David, Zimmerman, MN; Cynthia (Blaine) Paschke, Forest Lake, MN; and Gregory (Dorinda) Anderson, Fergus Falls, MN; grandchildren, Shawn (Tina) Anderson, Jon (Sara) Hendrickson, Ryan Hendrickson, Jeremy (Shannon) Seibel, Dana (Lance) Woinarowicz, Alissa (Terry) Pracht, Andrew (Megan) David, Sara (Brad) Schanning, Jessica (Dan) Paschke, Ashley David, Kalie (fiancé Monte Norman), and Josh Anderson; great-grandchildren Hunter and Trevor Anderson, Samuel and Greta Hendrickson, Cole Milz and Logan Seibel, Raydon, Ayla and Ty Woinarowicz, Nicolas, Natalie, Nolan, Neven, Noella, and Nash Pracht, McKenna and Madelyn David, and Danica and Kendra Paschke. Harry is also survived by his sister Violet Halfmann; sister-in-law, Donna Anderson and daughter-in-law Jennifer Wichmann.

He was preceded in death by his wife Hazel in 2014; parents Gustaf and Ella Anderson and brothers Roy and Philip.

Harry enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing especially with his family. He loved hiking in the mountains in Arizona during the winter months and also enjoyed walking. Harry was an avid horseshoe player and won several horseshoe tournaments in Arizona. He was also an avid reader and was quite knowledgeable on subjects of history, especially American history and the struggles of early pioneers. Harry enjoyed talking with old friends and meeting new friends. He was easy to talk to and could carry on a conversation on just about any topic. Harry enjoyed working on small engines and tinkering with anything around the farm.

Harry loved his family. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Harry will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. May his memory be blessed!

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Stephen, MN.

VISITATION: After 1:00 PM until the time of the service on Wednesday with a 1:00 PM Rosary.

INTERMENT: Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN

MILITARY SERVICE BY: Stephen American Legion Post 390

Active pallbearers will be Harry's grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be Harry's granddaughters and great-grandchildren

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to LeRoy and Lucille Nelson for the many visits, calls, and prayers extended to our Dad and to our family.

 Service Information