Herbet Leonard Andren

ANDREN Herbert Leonard (Andersson) Andren, age 96, of Fairfield, died on Sunday, February 9, 2003, at the Carolton Convalescent Hospital. He was born in Oxaback, Sweden, on October 29, 1906, the son of Selma Olson and Albin Andersson. He immigrated to this country in 1925 at the age of 18. He found work as a weaver in Shelton and then became a carpenter apprentice for J.P. Johnson, Builder, and later worked for Frank T. Hackett, Builder. In 1948, he formed his own carpentry business and built many custom homes in the Fairfield area for 20 years before his retirement. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church for 73 years where he had served as a trustee, a member of the Brotherhood and built the sextonTs home, cabinets, sidewalks, stairs and the wheel in which the bell now hangs. He was the last surviving member of the Building Committee for the present church. In 2001, he was honored by Salem Lutheran Church with the first Martin Luther Award for longtime service to the church and community. He was a member of the Scandinavian Club, the Odd Fellows Lodge, the Swedish Welfare Association and delivered Meals On Wheels for many years. He is survived by a son and his wife, Bert and Cary Andren of Fairfield; four grandchildren and their spouses; Eric and Fiona Andren of Fairfield, Christine and Richard Gannon of Fairfield, Karin and Jeffrey Keith of Fairfield and Kimberly and Peter Hastings of Wilton; and 10 great-grandchildren; Reid, Lindsay and Charlotte Andren; Carin, Tommy and Brian Gannon; Madison and Justin Keith; and William and Liela Hastings, a sister, Elin Karlsson in Sweden; two nieces; Eileen Andersson of Fairfield and Ann Marie Rosenfeld of Dallas, Texas and many nieces and nephews in Sweden. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years; Liela, a son, Lawrence Andren; his brothers, John Andersson and Arthur Andersson and sisters, Ebba Anderson and Olga Ernberg. Friends are invited to attend the funeral on Wednesday, February 12, 2003, at 10 a.m. (DIRECTLY) at Salem Lutheran Church, 3160 Park Avenue, Bridgeport. Interment will be in Mountain Grove Cemetery. The Larson Funeral Home, 2496 North Avenue, Bridgeport is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Larry Andren Youth Fund c/o Salem Lutheran Church, 3160 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604