Lee Howard Anderson

Lee Howard Anderson, age 89, of Warwick, ND died Monday, January 3rd, in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Lee Anderson, son of Herman and Arminda (Balson) Anderson, was born on July 28, 1921, on the family farm in Warwick, North Dakota. He attended rural school before graduating from Warwick High School in 1939. Lee then attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota. Lee interrupted his studies to join the Army Air Force in May of 1943. Lee completed his flight training in Selma, Alabama, was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and was assigned to the 312th bomb group, known as the Roaring 20’s. In November 1943 he transferred to his overseas assignment in New Guinea. During the next 11 months he would fly 57 combat missions over the mountains and jungles of New Guinea. Lee flew the P-40 “Warhawk” pursuit plane and the A-20 “Havoc” bomber. He had the distinction to take part in a mission later known as “Black Sunday”, April 16th, 1944, a day when the Air Force lost 37 planes to a weather system following a large and daring mission involving over 220 aircraft. Lee and his fellow pilots successfully landed their planes with nearly empty fuel tanks while many others crashed or were forced to ditch their aircraft in the mountains or at sea. In December 1944, Lee returned to the United States to recover from malaria and complete his service as a flight instructor. He was honorably discharged in December, 1945. After his service, Lee returned to Fargo, ND, to complete his studies and graduated in 1947. After graduation, he began a teaching career in Henning, Minnesota, where he taught vocational agriculture to returning veterans. It was in Henning that he met Shirley Muske, whom he married on October 2nd, 1949, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Lee and Shirley settled in Warwick, ND, where they began farming on the Anderson family farm with Lee’s father, Herman, and brother, Willard. Lee was a member of the Air Force Reserves and was recalled to active duty on April 11th, 1953, to serve in the Korean War. Lee and Shirley were transferred to Mountain Home, Idaho, and later to Anchorage, Alaska. Lee was promoted to the rank of Captain and flew B-29 bombers on reconnaissance and radar missions over the Arctic mountains and ocean. After accumulating over 1,500 hours of flying time including 276 hours of combat time in his USAF career, Lee was again honorably discharged in December, 1955 and returned to Warwick to farm and raise his family. Lee and Shirley built their home, expanded and modernized the original farm, they also began planting trees to provide windbreaks, improve habitat and increase soil moisture. When finished they had planted over 50,000 trees! While managing the farm and ranch, Lee also was an active member of the community, he served on the Warwick school board, was a member of the Farm Bureau, Elks Lodge, Devils Lake Flying Club and also served as a Scout Leader for several years. Lee and Shirley were active members in the 1st United Methodist Church in Devils Lake, ND. In 1968, Lee, along with several local farmers and businessmen, purchased the State bank of Webster and moved the bank to Devils Lake. Today, known as Western State Bank, it operates five branches serving the communities of Devils Lake, Towner, Fargo, West Fargo and Chandler, Arizona, and employs over 150 people. Lee served as a Director for over 42 years including several years as the Chairman of the Board. When he was not hard at work, Lee enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Lee was an avid fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman; he enjoyed taking hunting and fishing trips to remote locations in Canada, Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming. Lee is survived by his wife Shirley, sons, Travis (Karen) Anderson of Warwick, North Dakota, and Trent (Philine) Anderson of Atlanta, Georgia; brother, Edwin Anderson of Chelsea, Michigan; grandsons; Aaron, Casey, Kai and Angus; one great grandson; Christian. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Carroll, Bernard, Willard, Richard, six sisters; Jean Anderson, Ruth Goddard, Alice Vejtasa, Marian Gregg, Nellie Lingenfelder, and Marjorie Lingenfelder. Funeral Services for Lee will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Rev. David Birkeland will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Serving as Casket Bearers for Lee will be Brian Houkom, Rodney Brown, Dan Janssen, Jerry Reeves, Bradley Beckstrand and Tom Ryan Jr. Memorials may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans-Devils Lake Chapter, 204 11th Street NW, Devils Lake, ND 58301.