Wendell Anderson, of Dawson and formerly of Tracy, died Fri., Dec 13, 2013, at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson surrounded by his family at the age of 94.
Funeral service will be 1:00 PM, Sat, Dec 21, at Grace Lutheran Church in Dawson.
Visitation will be Fri from 5-7 PM with closing prayer at 7 PM at the Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.
Wendell Harry Anderson was born on the Anderson farm eight miles south of Dawson on October 28, 1919. He was baptized into the Christian faith in that same year and confirmed his faith in 1933, at Dawson Covenant Church.
Wendell attended a one room country school—District 25--for seven years. He then attended Dawson High School where he enjoyed playing football. He was also a pretty accomplished musician on the ‘C’ saxophone. Following graduation from High School, he worked for Gordon and Ferguson, Minneapolis, manufacturer of fur coats and leather jackets.
On October 1, 1941, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and eventually assigned to Battery H of the 78th Coast Artillery Anti-aircraft Division. He was sent to Attu, Aleutian Islands, on May 11,1943 with the assignment of reclaiming Attu—a rather desolate place to spend twenty months. Upon returning home he was selected to go to Savannah, IL, for special training in diffusing bombs. In the spring of 1945 he was assigned to sail for Guam—a staging center for invading Japan. Half way between Seattle and Hawaii, word came of VJ Day, and Wendell’s unit was redirected to Hawaii. Subsequently, he was sent back to the United States on the air craft carrier, Bunker Hill, which had been hit by the Japanese and reclassified to ‘shake-down cruise’. He was honorably discharged from Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.
Shortly after his return to Dawson, he enrolled at Minnesota School of Business, Minneapolis. Upon completion of course work; he was offered a position at Northwestern State Bank, Dawson, under the tutelage of O.S. Knudson, bank president. He worked there for seven years until he was offered a new position at Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Tracy, MN. He began his work there on November 1, 1952. From 1954-1956, he was enrolled in the University of Wisconsin School of Banking. And, on February 1, 1956, he was elected bank president of the Tracy Bank where he served until December 31, 1982. During his tenure, net bank assets grew from $4 million to $45 million.
On December 26, 1944, while home on furlough, Wendell married Helen Hullstrom—his companion, best friend, and love of his life. Following several years of courtship they were married and enjoyed just a few months short of sixty five years of life together.
Many, many folks admired Wendell and Helen’s deep commitment to each other...their love and respect for each other. Over their last fifteen years, with Helen’ declining health and Wendell’s declining eye sight, they touched many lives through their synergistic teamwork. They modeled for the entire world their marriage vows, ‘in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, until death parts us.”
Following retirement, Helen and Wendell moved to Hot Springs Village, AR and enjoyed many ’golden years’-- making new friends, golfing, entertaining family, and investing in an ELCA mission congregation. In 1999, Helen and Wendell sold their home in Arkansas and returned to the place of their birth, Dawson—a decision they never regretted.
Wendell’s priorities always centered on marriage, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and church. He, like Helen, was an avid golfer. Both Helen and Wendell loved entertaining family and friends. They were true masters of ‘gracious hospitality’. Folks from many corners of the world felt welcomed in the Anderson’s very non-pretentious homes.
In the early 1970’s Wendell was diagnosed with glaucoma. And, in 1991 he was diagnosed with macular degeneration—a combination of the two which would eventually claim his eye sight. But, what a great attitude! What an example! What a role model! What an inspiration! Wendell had reason to get depressed and to wallow in pity. But instead, he got engaged in short wave radio and achieved certification at every level possible. In addition, he tackled the computer….went to Camp Courage and the Veterans Affairs School for the Blind in Chicago….just to keep ‘sharpening the saw’ and getting more proficient on his computer….and, much of this taking place after his 90th birthday!
Most importantly, Wendell was a generous person. He shared, gave, and sacrificed—seldom calling attention to himself. In very quiet and non-assuming ways he could make things happen. His keen insight, good judgment, patience, clarity of thought and his impeccable memory served him well.
Wendell is survived by his four grateful children—Cyndi (Dave) Ballard, of Fairfield, TX, Blair (Betty) Anderson, of Mendota Heights, MN, Allan (Shelly) Anderson, of Pottsboro, TX, Gretchen (Steven) Wensman, of Maplewood, MN, adopted AFS daughter Alice Stonebrink of the Netherlands; nine grandchildren—Jennifer (Ken) Noble, Benjamin (Gillian) Ballard, Rob Anderson, Elizabeth (Josh) Moe, Emily (Jesse) Munson, Abby Wensman, Bryn Anderson, Peter Wensman, and Madelyn Schneider; five great-grandchildren –Logan Noble, Hannah Noble, and Isabella Noble, Olivia Ballard and Emilia Ballard, sister-in-law—Irene Bremseth, nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by wife—Helen, parents—Walfred and Hannah, sisters—Edith Johnson and Wilma Johnson, and brother—Walmer.
To God be the glory, great things He has done!