Elmer M. Anderson, 96

Blue Earth — Elmer Anderson, age 96, of Blue Earth, died Nov. 24, 2008, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth. Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore. Rev. Karl Rydholm officiated. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery, Elmore.

Elmer was born March 24, 1912, in Cope, Colo., the son of Carl Christ and Josephine (Thorson) Anderson. He attended a country school. He married Harriet Lyon, Sept. 27, 1933. They spent their entire married life in the Blue Earth and Elmore area where they were involved in farming. He did seasonal work at a Pea Viner, and for Green Giant. He retired in 1985, but continued to help his special friend Gary Johnson with fall farming for several years.

He was very instrumental in the formation of the Senior Citizens Center in Elmore, and served on the board for many years. He was recognized as Outstanding Faribault County Senior Citizen in the 1980’s, for his involvement in it and many other community projects. Elmer was a longtime member of Shiloh Lutheran Church in Elmore. Elmer was a people person, and loved to visit with anyone he would meet. He enjoyed Anderson Family Reunions, Sunday Dinners with his family, camping at Dawson’s Campground, helping with many projects at Shiloh Church, and spending time with his many friends and family. He loved his grandchildren and the new great great grandchildren. He had a real passion for playing cards and was very good at it.

Elmer and Harriet celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this past September.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife Harriet of Blue Earth, his children Reynold “Renny” (Donna) Anderson of Blue Earth and Joan (Quentin) Hardt of Pocahontas, Iowa, seven grandchildren, Debra (Dan) Olsen, Randy (Deb) Anderson of Blue Earth, Diane Anderson of St. Augustine, Fla., Henry (Lynn) Hardt of Storm Lake, Iowa, David (Heather) Hardt of Des Moines, Iowa, Tim and Tom Hardt of Pocahontas, Iowa, eight great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, three step great great grandchildren and one brother Myrl (Clarice) Anderson of Blue Earth, and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, five sisters and infant son Eldon.

Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com