CHESTER ALVIN ANDERSON JR.

Chester A. Anderson Jr., 77 of rural Devils Lake formerly of Enderlin, ND passed away at his home early Saturday morning, December 1, 2012 in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice. Funeral Services for Chester will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake with burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Chester will be Ted Shaffer, Joey Shaffer, Kelly Hellman, J.R. LaVallie, Greg Berg and Mike Waldner. Chester Alvin, son of Chester and Vivian (Bratland) Anderson Sr. was born on October 17, 1935 at Enderlin, ND. Chester grew up and was educated in the Lisbon/Enderlin area on the family farm. For several years he remained on the farm and farmed and ranched with his parents. After leaving the farm, Chester worked in Western, ND in the oil fields during the first oil boom. He eventually moved to the Lake Region area and worked as a heavy equipment operator for Hulstrand Construction of Lakota on road construction and later worked for Durbin Excavating of Devils Lake for several years. For the past 26 years, Chester was in partnership with his son, Mike Tapson as owners and operators of A&T Trucking. Chester and Paulette also owned and operated Chet’s Taxi for 14 years, until Chester’s health problems forced him to retire. Thirty-one years ago, Chester met Paulette Senger and they made their home in the Lake Region, where they worked side by side through the years. They were united in marriage on February 28, 2001. Chester loved horses and for many years he had a team and 2 seater buggy. He loved to take the family on rides around the country. He also enjoyed deer hunting and fishing in all the seasons. These were always family activities. Chester loved the outdoors and it was all the better if he could be with family and friends. Chester worked hard to provide for his family and taught them the importance of a good work ethic and to be thankful for the family and friends of this life. He always put on a tough front, but deep down he was pretty soft hearted. Chester is survived by his wife, Paulette; daughter, Vicky (Kelly) Saari of Devils Lake; sons, Michael (Sharon) Tapson also of Devils Lake and Dean (Marnie) Tapson of Hillsboro, ND; nine grandchildren, Megan, A.J., Sarah; Miranda, Colby, Nicklous, Colton, Parker and Zachary; five step grandchildren, J.R., Trista, Nikie, Miranda and Lindsay and eight step great grandchildren; brother, Jerry Anderson and his wife, Ann of Britton, SD; several nieces and nephews also survive. Chester was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jerome Anderson; sister, Betty Bromley and in-laws, Mike and Eva Senger.