Richard "Dick" D. Anderson Sr.

1. Richard D. “Dick” Anderson Sr., 93 of Devils Lake formerly of Starkweather, ND passed away on Sunday morning, June 24, 2018 at his home in the loving care of his family and the Veterans Administration Home Health Care.

Richard Darrell, son of Almer and Olga (Mikkelson) Anderson was born on July 16, 1924 in Devils Lake. He grew up on the family farm and attended a one-room school north of Penn.  As a teenager, Dick went to war and served his country during World War II with the Company C 327^th Glider Infantry of the 101^st Airborne Division.  He served in Italy, France and was a member of the fighting force at the Battle of the Bulge.  Like many of his generation, the Greatest Generation, he spoke very little about the war. 

Dick married Avis Benson and they had a son, Richard Jr. While Dick was away at war, his wife and mother died days apart in January of 1946.  He was honorably discharged on March 1, 1946.  He returned home to tragedy, as sad as the tragedies of war.

Richard was united in marriage to Marjorie Miller on November 20, 1947 in Willow City, ND. They welcomed another member to the family, a daughter, Barbara in 1948. They established their home on the Berndt Anderson Farm at Churchs Ferry, ND until 1960 when they moved to the Mikkelson Homestead at Webster, ND.  The couple built a life on the prairie.  Dick farmed and Marjorie worked as a nurse.  In 2011, they moved to Devils Lake. For 70 years, they lived a partnership of love and marriage and the ups and downs of life.

After retiring from farming, Dick continued to tend the soil, by taking over the duties of gardening. He used his talent to restore an old Case tractor and continued to keep an eye on the farm.   Dick was an active member of Chain Lakes Lutheran Church until it closed, and then and now of Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church.  He also enjoyed membership in the American Legion.  

Richard was very involved in the lives of the grandchildren. Those nightly smorgasbords of cheese, crackers and occasionally ice cream; learning to drive; trips to Minneapolis and so many more precious memories; learning to treasure life’s blessings and struggles; the many examples of love, kindness and respect he portrayed to others as the legacy left to his family.

As Dick so often said, “Getting old is not for sissies.” but he carried himself with a dignity that continued to foster respect. He was an ordinary man who loved God, his country, his family and the farm. 

He will be greatly missed by his wife, Marjorie; son Richard D. Anderson Jr. of Webster, ND; daughter Barbara Rose of Las Vegas, NV; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; sisters-in-law Jean Perron and Verna Bower both of Minot, ND and Karen (Ardel) Johnson of Lake Metigoshe and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by her parents; wife Avis and sister Lois Erickstad.

Funeral Services for Dick will be held on Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity-Bergen Lutheran Church, Starkweather, ND with Reverend Robert Buechler officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, June 26^th from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will continue on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.

Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND at a later date.

Music will be provided by Elizabeth and Jim Berg. Urn Bearers will be Tom Erickstad, Dan Erickstad, Keith Nielsen, Wayne Miller, Dennis Miller, Scotty Anderson, Frank Anderson and Patrick Bonnell.  Honorary Bearers will be all the members of Dick’s dear extended family.