Bob Anderson, 93, was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 10, 1929. His folks moved to Grandpa Gustaf Anderson’s farm at Oxford, Minnesota, when Bob was 2 years old. The family included dad, Irving; mom, Odelia; son, John, 4 years old; and Bob, 2 years old.
The farm was all sand and there was no rain, no crops for years. In 1935 the family moved to Duquette, Minnesota, on a small farm, “all clay.” They lived there until 1940 and by this time the family had grown to include a younger brother, Stephen, in 1935 and a sister, Clarice, in 1938.
The family moved to a farm in Shafer, Minnesota, in 1940 where Bob went to Taylors Falls school through eighth grade. He finished his high school years in Osceola, Wisconsin, graduating in 1947.
Bob worked on the family farm until he met and married Julianna Chase of Milltown in 1950. To this union was born five children, Robert L. (La Rae), Gregory, Jelene Walesch (Tom), Charlene Peterson (Greg) and Maridee Snyder (Todd).
Bob worked at Champion Aircraft in the final assembly and engineering department for seven years before moving to the engineering department at Control Data Corporation in 1962. In 1965 he moved to a job closer to home, Fabritech Inc., in Amery, Wisconsin, as a drafting supervisor. In 1968, Bob became a territorial manager for Lester Inc. on the road, selling buildings.
Throughout his life he was active in the community, volunteering with the Lions Club, volunteer fire department, cemetery board and church board.
After retiring Bob and Julie opened Croix Valley Fudge, building a new building in 1985. In 1989 Bob ran for Chisago County District 1 commissioner which he held for two terms. Bob and Julie sold the farm and moved to Arizona to live the life in the sun in 1997. They moved back to Osceola in 2004 to be closer to their children.
Bob became interested in making wooden items of which he gave to his family and friends. Bob and Julie traveled to Alamo, Texas, each winter to escape the cold until Julie could no longer make the trip. In 2015 they moved into Royal Oaks in Osceola.
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Julie; son, Gregory; and his grandson, Chad; as well as his parents; brother, John; and sister, Clarice. He leaves behind his children; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many extended family and friends.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, May 10, at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. Interment is at Kahbakong Cemetery in Taylors Falls, Minnesota. Arrangements were made by the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Osceola. Condolences may be expressed online at grandstrandfh.com.
