Roger M. Anderson

Roger Anderson, 90, of Wendell, Minnesota, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at Windmill Ponds Memory Care in Alexandria, MN. His memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wendell, MN. There will be a visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Wendell.

Roger Maurice Anderson was born May 3, 1934, in Western Township, Minnesota, to Oswald and Inga (Floden) Anderson. He grew up in Wendell, MN, attending school at the District 12 Country School, and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1952. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was a tank driver stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Knox, Kentucky.

While attending country school, he met the love of his life, Ione Bergerud. Roger and Ione were married February 11, 1956, at Aastad Church in rural Ottertail County. The couple made their home on the farm in Wendell, and were blessed with 4 children- Ilynn, Pam, Kim, and Greg. 

When he had downtime from farming, Roger started working at the Fergus Falls State Hospital helping fix hospital beds. What started out to be a temporary job became a lifelong career. Through hard work, evening classes, and on the job training he became a licensed master electrician. He was employed by the State Hospital from 1960-1992. After retirement, he and Ione enjoyed traveling. They purchased an RV and traveled all over the country finally deciding that Arizona would be the place they would buy a winter home. Roger and Ione also made trips to Norway, Germany, and Israel. The trip to Israel was one on their “bucket list”.

Roger was an avid woodworker and has done many carvings. He was a member of the Wendell Lion’s Club, Wendell Legion Post #426, a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church, serving on the church council for many years. Up until the time of his passing, Roger was the oldest living male member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Roger is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ione; children, Ilynn (Rick) Proctor, Pamela Anderson, Kim (Dean) Anderson, and Greg (Diane) Anderson; grandchildren, Kendra (Ben) Zietz, Jim (Kaytlin) Ahlquist, Lauren (Coltt) Nelson, Jack Anderson, and Megan Anderson; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Noah, and Brooks; step-grandchildren, Richard Proctor, Jeff (Kay) Proctor, Brett (Amanda) Anderson, and Stephanie Anderson; step-great-grandchildren, Linsey (Pierce), Cole, Jordan, Kylie, Madison, Olivia, Ryker, Eli, and Tyler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oswald and Inga.