Theodore “Ted” Anderson age 89 of Walnut Grove passed away Monday, November 24, 2014 at Our House Hospice of Murray County in Slayton. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation is 9:30-11:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Burial is in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Theodore “Ted” Harry Anderson was born on March 27, 1925, to Harry and Rowena (Knudson) Anderson in Westbrook, Minnesota. At age two, he moved with his parents to a farm in Ann Township and then to another close by at age four. Ted was baptized at Trinity Lutheran in Westbrook and confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran, rural Walnut Grove. He attended country school in Cottonwood County District 43 and graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1943. Ted started farming in Ann Township in 1947. On June 8, 1951, Ted and Laura Rust were united in marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Vesta. They later purchased the farm on which they had been living in Ann Township. It was there they raised their ten children. Ted and Laura were members of Trinity Lutheran in Walnut Grove where Ted served on the council and was a Lutheran Brotherhood communicator. In 1986, they retired from active farming and rented out their land. Ted became an employee of Meadowland Coop and during those years renewed his interest in breeding Quarter horses. He was a founding member and past president of the Plum Creek Saddle Club, a delegate to the Southwest Trailriders Association, president of the local NFO, and a member of the Sons of Norway. Ted also enjoyed taking part in community plays and had various acting roles in the annual Fragments of a Dream pageant for 16 years. He enjoyed reading, fishing, trail riding, writing on subjects of interest, and was a crossword puzzle enthusiast.
Ted is survived by his children: Paula (Bruce) Brown of Savage, Harlan (Joan) Anderson of Norwood Young America, Samuel Anderson of Mankato, Alison (Butch) Schmidt of Alexandria, Owen (Kathy) Anderson of Mitchell, SD; Faith (Peter) Maguire of Walnut Grove, Hope Anderson of Milroy, Signe (Greg) Hansen of Walnut Grove, Sheldon Anderson of Gillette, WY, and Elizabeth (Larry) Peters of Lindsborg, KS. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren: Matthew and Nathan Brown, Jason Anderson, Angela (Anderson) Lueck, Jeramie Anderson, Amy (Anderson) Grass, Kristen Anderson, Jamie (Schmidt) Storms, Anthony Maguire, Nichole (Maguire) Burns, Sophie (Hansen) Jenniges, Jon Hansen, Katie (Hansen) Cooley, Claire, Grant, Olivia, Kayla, and Laura Peters; 25 great grandchildren; brothers Ardell (Janet) Anderson of Tracy and Ronald (Carol) Anderson of Colorado Springs, CO; sisters-in-law Helen Anderson and Mildred Kotval; and many nieces and nephews. Ted is preceded in death by his parents, wife Laura, brothers Don and Richard, infant sister Rachel Marie, brother-in-law Calvin Kotval, and grandson Adam Schmidt.
Alison and family,
My sympathy to you and your family at this sad time.
May you cherish all of your memories.
Thinking of you.
Lynn
Family of Ted Anderson,
My sympathy to the family as you endure another loss in 2014. We share in your sorrow and wish the best for you. We would like to be there on Friday, but find that it will not work for us. May God be with you!
Cousin and friend,
Leland and family
Emil and Bernice Thorsness, the kids John, Leo and I grew up next to Rowena and Harry with all those boys. Had fun playing cards, and out side playing. We had fun visiting back and forth. Miss that time. Blessings to you all. Donna
Our sympathy to the family of Ted Anderson. Ted was fun to work for and fun to talk to. He always had good story’s to tell and a nice sense of humor. God bless you, Tony Iverson and Family
I had NO idea until now. I am so very sorry. I hope the family is thriving with every very special memory of Ted. RIP Ted and the family in my prayers and thoughts.
I had NO idea until now. I am so very sorry. I hope the family is thriving with every very special memory of Ted. RIP Ted and the family in my prayers and thoughts. I remember Laura mostly, but oh, what a great couple of people!