Albert A. Anderson

Albert Anderson, age 104, resident of Cornerstone Living in Fosston and formerly of Erskine, MN, passed away on Tuesday, December 16th, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 27th, at Calvary Free Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Mark Richardson officiating. Interment will be in Saron Lutheran Cemetery, rural Erskine, in the spring. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Albert A. Anderson was born on May 15, 1921, in Badger Township, rural Erskine, Minnesota to parents Almer and Nellie (Engeland) Anderson. He was baptized and confirmed at Saron Lutheran Church and attended rural school in that area (Albert would walk, along with his sisters, cross-country to and from the school. During the winter months, they would ski). Albert remembered one particular teacher, Florence Balke, who boarded at a nearby farm. He continued school through the eighth grade before needing to help his dad on the farm.

The Anderson family lived in Badger Township and, when Albert was six years old, the family moved to what would become the family’s home farm just to the north previous location. It was a small place with only a kitchen, cellar, pantry and upstairs for the six kids and parents. During one good year (in 1937), his father added a much-needed living room and later Albert and Marion built another addition.

Albert was talented. He could fabricate and construct in his workshop and could weld and make his own parts when needed. Albert worked on the farm and helped his dad. Later he worked for area farmers and for a brief time worked at Garden Valley. He stayed at home helping his folks and taking care of them through the time that they passed away.

Albert met Marion Fjerstad and they dated for about 19 years. They married on December 16, 1989, at Poplar Lake Lutheran Church near Fosston. Together, they lived on the Anderson home farm. They liked to go to Itasca Park for a picnic, with friends to a movie or dinner and especially liked to go to the Steam Thresher’s Reunion in Rollag.

Albert continued to farm and had Hereford Black Angus cattle for a few years. He eventually retired and grew a big garden which was substantial enough for the whole neighborhood. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and many people that he met he would ask them if they were Norwegian.

After Marion’s passing in 2006, their beloved dog, Trixie, became Albert’s long-time pal. In addition, relatives, neighbors, and friends would stop in to visit and keep him company.

Albert was a life-long member of Saron Lutheran Church, attending there until its closing. He would always recall the past with stories of the “good-ole days”. He was truly a farmer at heart and never forgot that way of living. A way of life that he greatly enjoyed. Even when he had been at Cornerstone in Fosston for some time, he always wanted to go home to the farm.

Albert is survived by his stepchildren, Sue (Ron) Sherette, Sandy Salvhus, Terry Myhre, Debbie (Marlin) Olson, Kristine (Marvin) Olson; step daughter-in-law, Gretchen Fjerstad; and many nieces and nephews and step grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepchildren, Carolyn Knutson, Cheryl Nelson, and Craig Fjerstad; step sons-in-law, David Salvhus, Alfred Knutson, and Jack Nelson; step grandsons, Jason Nelson, Corey Myhre, and Brandon Fjerstad; sisters, Selma Ellingson, Pearl Werner, Lillian Aaker, Florence Johnson, and Norma Hanson.

Albert was the end of an era. It won’t be the same, because it seems like he was here forever.