1924
Elroy
2016
Elroy Anderson
August 29, 1924 — March 4, 2016
Elroy Anderson, 91, of Hoffman died Friday, March 4, 2016 at the Bethany Community in Alexandria. Elroy Lavern was born August 29, 1924, at the home farm in Douglas county, Hoffman, MN, to Henry & Esther (Johnson) Anderson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Bethel Lutheran church of Hoffman.
After graduating from Hoffman High School in 1941, Elroy farmed with his father and brother in Douglas County. He later purchased a farm in Grant County just east of Hoffman by the Chippewa River. Elroy and Hazel (Hedin) were united in marriage on October 14, 1945, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Elroy was drafted into the Army and stationed at Fitzsimmons Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, during World War II. After the war, the couple returned to Hoffman and lived on their farm where they raised their three daughters, Beverly, Barbara, and Carol. In 1976 they built a home on the outskirts of town, which has been the family home to-date. As a Hoffman community member for 91 years, Elroy contributed in more ways than can be named. His church activities were important to him and ranged from teaching Sunday School to serving on various church Boards including the Cemetery Board, and to being recognized as usher 'extraordinaire'. He served as a 4-H leader and member of the Grant County Fair Board for a number of years. Elroy was proud to be a World War II veteran and an American Legion member for over 70 years.
Elroy enjoyed driving: as a school bus driver for 40+ years; driving farm equipment of every make and model; vacationing road trips all over the country, visiting every state including Alaska, and Canada; and later as a volunteer driver for Alpha Transit. When Elroy named his interests, following his grandchildren's sporting events was high on his list. He really enjoyed watching any sporting event. Traveling to Sweden was a highlight in Elroy and Hazel's life because of their heritage and the opportunity to meet their Swedish relatives. Once, when Elroy was interviewed about his hobbies, he spoke without pause and said, "helping people." Elroy is survived by his three "girls"; Beverly Anderson of Maple Grove, Barbara (Chuck) Taffe of Hastings, and Carol (Paul) Anderson of Hoffman; grandchildren Jeff (Jenni) Taffe of Lakeville, Jamie Taffe (fiancé Paul Thorn) of St. Paul, Katie (Matt) Strand of Mitchell, S.D., and Brent Anderson of Hoffman, MN; great grandchildren Walker and Georgia Taffe, and Tyler Strand; sisters / brothers-in-law Ann (Jerry) Anderson of Osseo, Mavis (Roger) Peterson of Brooklyn Park; brother-in-law Harris Hedin of Willmar; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Esther Anderson; his wife Hazel; brother Rodger Anderson; sister-in-law Dora Anderson; sister-in-law Luverne Hedstrom; brother-in-law Robert Hedstrom; sister-in-law Bernice Hedin; mother and father-in-law Lydia and Herman Hedin; and nieces Mary Hedin and Marne Anderson. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Monday, March 7 at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman and will resume for one hour prior to the service.
A Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, March 8 at 10:30 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in Hoffman.
The Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Hoffman is in charge of the arrangements for Elroy Anderson.
Elroy's Memorial Folder
Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Hoffman 103 7th Street North Hoffman, MN US 56339
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Visitation
Monday, March 7, 2016
Service
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
After graduating from Hoffman High School in 1941, Elroy farmed with his father and brother in Douglas County. He later purchased a farm in Grant County just east of Hoffman by the Chippewa River. Elroy and Hazel (Hedin) were united in marriage on October 14, 1945, at Bethel Lutheran Church. Elroy was drafted into the Army and stationed at Fitzsimmons Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, during World War II. After the war, the couple returned to Hoffman and lived on their farm where they raised their three daughters, Beverly, Barbara, and Carol. In 1976 they built a home on the outskirts of town, which has been the family home to-date. As a Hoffman community member for 91 years, Elroy contributed in more ways than can be named. His church activities were important to him and ranged from teaching Sunday School to serving on various church Boards including the Cemetery Board, and to being recognized as usher 'extraordinaire'. He served as a 4-H leader and member of the Grant County Fair Board for a number of years. Elroy was proud to be a World War II veteran and an American Legion member for over 70 years.
Elroy enjoyed driving: as a school bus driver for 40+ years; driving farm equipment of every make and model; vacationing road trips all over the country, visiting every state including Alaska, and Canada; and later as a volunteer driver for Alpha Transit. When Elroy named his interests, following his grandchildren's sporting events was high on his list. He really enjoyed watching any sporting event. Traveling to Sweden was a highlight in Elroy and Hazel's life because of their heritage and the opportunity to meet their Swedish relatives. Once, when Elroy was interviewed about his hobbies, he spoke without pause and said, "helping people." Elroy is survived by his three "girls"; Beverly Anderson of Maple Grove, Barbara (Chuck) Taffe of Hastings, and Carol (Paul) Anderson of Hoffman; grandchildren Jeff (Jenni) Taffe of Lakeville, Jamie Taffe (fiancé Paul Thorn) of St. Paul, Katie (Matt) Strand of Mitchell, S.D., and Brent Anderson of Hoffman, MN; great grandchildren Walker and Georgia Taffe, and Tyler Strand; sisters / brothers-in-law Ann (Jerry) Anderson of Osseo, Mavis (Roger) Peterson of Brooklyn Park; brother-in-law Harris Hedin of Willmar; and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Esther Anderson; his wife Hazel; brother Rodger Anderson; sister-in-law Dora Anderson; sister-in-law Luverne Hedstrom; brother-in-law Robert Hedstrom; sister-in-law Bernice Hedin; mother and father-in-law Lydia and Herman Hedin; and nieces Mary Hedin and Marne Anderson. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Monday, March 7 at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman and will resume for one hour prior to the service.
A Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, March 8 at 10:30 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in Hoffman.
The Erickson-Smith Funeral Home of Hoffman is in charge of the arrangements for Elroy Anderson.
Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Hoffman 103 7th Street North Hoffman, MN US 56339
Previous Events
cemeterySaturday, March 5, 2016
Bethel Lutheran Cemetery
Hoffman, MN
Monday, March 7, 2016
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Messiah Lutheran Church
502 Kentucky Avenue
Hoffman, MN 56339
Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
10:30 AM
Messiah Lutheran Church
502 Kentucky Avenue
Hoffman, MN 56339
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