John H. "Hancock" Anderson

John H. “Hancock” Anderson, 62, of St. Michael began his journey to the Spirit World on May 17, 2013, surrounded by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. Hancock fought a courageous battle with cancer. Wake services will be at the St. Michael Recreation Center on Wednesday beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 8:pm. The procession to St. Michael will leave on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. from the Spirit Lake Marina. Mass of the Resurrection will be at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 23rd at the St. Michael Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Moen celebrating the Mass and assisted by Deacon Tony McDonald. Music will be shared by Tony and Vina McDonald, Melissa Merrick, The Rhythm Riders, and Eagle Tail Singers. Any other musicians and drums are welcome to share their music. Active Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Johnny, Colton, Darrien, Tyler, Tanner, Skyler, C.J. and his life-long buddies James “Bimbo” Lenoir and Scott Jetty. Honorary pallbearers: Spirit Lake Housing Authority employees, all the Lenoir Boys, Doug Yankton, Howie and Sheila Wanna, Kenny Baker, Jr., James (Bimbo) and Renee Lenoir and daughters, Bradley and Joanne Johnson, Jerry and Nancy Robertson, Phil and Mardell Lewis, Glen and Cathy Wallace, Kojack and Kristi Thompson, Connie Charboneau, Jeannie Charboneau, Jerry Cook, Marlyn Demarce, Rodney Agulair, Kurtis Mack, Craig Estenson, Cheryl GoodIron and Family, Doll Smith, Donnie Smith, Renita and Dallas Delorme, Butch Cavanaugh, Delores Yankton, Diane Jackson, Roger Brown and Brenda Robertson, Myrna “Torchy” Greene, Robin and Paul Lawrence, Cora Whiteman, The Larson Family, The Belisle Family, Belinda Murphy, Kenny Baker, Jr., Francis and Rose LaForte, Billy Cavanaugh, The Greywater Family, The Lamrose Family, The Pacheco Family, Marie Baker, Tammy Pforr, Jr. Rainbow, Pauline Greywater, Libby Littleghost, Helena Littleghost, Elaine Robertson, Kenneth and Bev Greywater, Delemma Greywater, Joyce Tomahawk, Flo Peltier, Joel and Wanda Lenoir and family, Helen Foughty and family, Maxine and Raymond Buckles and family, Frankie Chaske, Jeannie and Louie Chaske, Keith and Lois Leben, Beatrice Joramo, Daryl and Kim Three Irons, Kilreen Reynalds and family, Kirby and Karen Reynolds and family, Eunice and Dave Davidson, Marie Baker, The Mercer family, Peggy Cavanaugh, Ernestine Herman-Dauphinais, Nan Forest, Duane Jackson, Darcy and Dorthea (Chico) Olson, The McKay family, Linda Herman, Patty Shaw, Estelle Henniger, Marlene Anderson-Hanson, Tom and Viki Lynn Jones, Doug Asleson, Shirley McCLoud, Clayton McCloud, Tubby and Jeannie Lang, Josie and Clarice Lawrence. His casino buddies: Renee Lenoir, April St. Pierre, Anita Cavanaugh, Gloria Redroad, and Butch Kazena. A very special thank you to: Tony and Vina McDonald, Officer Terry Morgan, Dr. Sung Who Lee, Dr. Beckdash, the Cancer Center Nurses, Dr. Ali, Stephanie Armstrong, the nurses and doctors at Mercy Hospital who worked so very hard on our loved one, ICU nurses at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks who kept our loved one very comfortable during his last hours, and his nurses from Spirit Lake Tribal Health: Tiffaney Foss, RN; Challsey Lawrence, RN; and his niece Tracy Charboneau, RN. The family would also like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, food, and gifts during this difficult time. John H. Anderson was born October 22, 1950 at Ft. Totten, the oldest son of John and Delores Hedine-Anderson. He attended grade school at Little Flower in St. Michael and high school in Maddock. Hancock met the love of his life, Lila Mae Wanataan in 1968 and they were united in marriage on January 7, 1975. They had six children: Kelly, John, Nicole, Meredith, Titus and Cody. Hancock worked for some time at Sioux Manufacturing Corporation and left there for work at the Spirit Lake Housing Authority, where he worked for 29 years and recently retired due to health problems on August 30, 2012. Hancock loved gardening and was just getting ready to start his garden for this year. He always shared with everyone and was very proud of his garden and also very proud that he had taught his children and grandchildren to plant a garden. He also loved collecting antique lanterns. John enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and his two great-granddaughters, Rylie James and Lunden (Precious). John credits Lunden for keeping him going throughout his illness. She was his little sidekick. His family and friends meant the world to him. Hancock also loved visiting and hanging out with his friends. Hancock enjoyed spending time at the casino with his wife, family and friends. Hancock was a very humble man and did not want his family to know that he was as sick as he was. He did not like people to worry about him, and kept it to himself to protect his family, especially his wife and children. Hancock was a very good man to all that knew him. Hancock was known for his quick wittiness, teasing everyone and for his famous knick names for his grandkids and nephews. We could not have asked for a better husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. We are sure going to miss him. He was known as “The Protector of the Family. He is surely going to be missed by all. Survived by his wife,Lila; children, Kelly (Greg), John Blaine, Nicole (Jerry), Meredith (Marlyn) , Titus and Cody; twelve grandchildren, Johnny, Alexis, Darrien; Tyler, Courtney, Tanner, Kari; Colton, Sarah, Skyler, Mallory, M.J.; great granddaughters, Lunden and Rylee Jean; brothers, Chris (Carol) Anderson, Blaine Anderson; sisters, Patricia Anderson, Debra (William) Cavanaugh, Melody (John) Christianson, Loreen “Wiggs” Anderson and Rena (Bob) Skaro; special nephews: Trent Anderson, Aaron Cavanaugh, C.J. Cavanaugh (Shayna), William “Huck” Cavanaugh and Darren Strouse; special niece, Reba Hegg-Mack; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Sherry Anderson, Sharon Anderson, Tracy Anderson and Cheryl Fassett-Fox; nieces, Heidi Anderson, Amy Anderson and Melodee Anderson; Little Chris Cavanaugh and Little Larry Schweitzer; great niece, Debra Kay Dogskin and Sydney Lovejoy.