Daniel D. Anderson

Daniel D. Anderson

Oct. 2, 1931 - Feb. 20, 2017

Daniel D. Anderson, Sr., of Clear Lake and Apache Junction, Arizona, passed away on Feb. 20, 2017, in Apache Junction.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sept. 10 at the VFW in Clear Lake from 1-4 p.m.

Dan was born on Oct. 2, 1931, in Mason City, the son of Ernest and Elsie (Statzer) Anderson.

He attended school in Mason City. He joined the Army and fought in the Korean War, where he was honorably discharged in 1952.

Going fast was in the blood of the younger Anderson boys. Dan and his brother, Bub, used to race cars all across the North Iowa area, and this passion has dwindled to the next generation, where it continues today.

He met Joanne Burgess, and they were married on Aug. 15, 1953, in Glenville, Minnesota. To this union they had six children.

Dan worked most of his life for the city of Mason City as a mechanic. In the mid-1960s, he had a part-time business called A&W Cycles that sold Suzuki motorcycles, Motoguzzis, Brut cycles and Snow jet snowmobiles, along with parts and service work.

Dan was an avid ham radio operation where he would spend many evenings talking to other people around the world.

He was on many different organizations throughout his life that dealt with ham and CB radios and a variety of motorcycle clubs. In his earlier years, you could find Dan and Joanne out touring on one of their motorcycles, traveling across the United States.

After retiring from Mason City, he drove for the local Mason City car dealers getting cars from the auction house for dealer trades.

For 24 years, Dan and Joanne wintered in Arizona. After Joanne's death, Dan continued to spend his winters in Arizona along with his pet companion, 'Baby.'

Summer times in Iowa he made his daily drive to Mason City to spend time with his friends at the Community Kitchen, or you may have also seen him riding his bright yellow 3-wheeler motorcycle around the North Iowa area.

Dan enjoyed spending time with family and friends and tinkering on small engines and motorcycles.

Dan is survived by his children: Andy of Kingman, Arizona, John of Phoenix, Arizona, Dan Jr. (Kathleen) of Swaledale, Iowa, and Doug (LuAnn) of Mason City, Iowa. Grandchildren: Christie (John) and Heidi, Travis (Karitta), Krista and Andrea, Elizabeth (John) and Erika (Matthew), and Jason (Erika), and 10 great-grandchildren. Brothers: Donald 'Bub' and Kenneth (Ruth) and sisters Barbara (John) and Norma, along with many nieces and nephews.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Joanne, in May 2011, daughters Danette and April, grandson Bradley, his siblings Harold 'Andy,' Jim and Doris.

This is 'KAOIJG' signing off.