Clifford John Anderson

Clifford Anderson, age 89, of Marshall and formerly of rural Cottonwood, Minnesota, died on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall. Funeral Services are 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the Marshall Efree Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Interment will be in the Marshall Cemetery, followed by a light luncheon back at the church. Visitation will be held at the church prior to his celebration, from 11:30 a.m. until the time of his service at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Clifford John Anderson was born on June 8, 1936, in Clarkfield, Minnesota. He was the son of John and Hannah (Swanson) Anderson. Cliff spent his entire life living on the family farm near Cottonwood, Minnesota. He attended school in Cottonwood through the 8th grade and then furthered his education at West Central Agricultural School in Morris, MN. Cliff graduated there in 1954 and returned home to continue farming with his father.

Cliff was united in marriage to Jeanette Funk on July 5, 1959, at the Zacchaeus American Lutheran Church in Canby. The couple continued to live on the farm and raised 4 children. Cliff milked cows, raised beef cattle and farmed corn, beans, and alfalfa. Cliff also worked as a machinist at Roger’s Hydraulics (also known as Victor Fluid Power) in Granite Falls prior to retirement. As many dedicated farmers do, retirement was largely in name only until Cliff and Jeanette moved into Boulder Estates in Marshall about a year ago.

Cliff was always active in his church family, starting in St. Lucas Lutheran (Cottonwood), St. Stephens Lutheran (Marshall), and Christ Lutheran (Cottonwood). Marshall Efree remained his church home for the past thirty-four years. Cliff's personal faith was evident in his private devotions, faithful service and deep friendships with fellow believers. He also served as clerk for Normania Township. Cliff’s enjoyments were riding motorcycle, hunting small game, deer, and turkey, watching westerns, reading books about history, and traveling with Jeanette by his side, which included traveling to Alaska twice. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren making special rules for a game of tag, hiding the purple cup, or a good game of checkers or chess. Cliff's quiet but on-point sense of humor was always readily available with a joke or tease that made everyone laugh. His eye twinkle and half smile gave the heads-up that whatever he was about to say couldn't be taken completely seriously. Other pastimes included spending time outside around the campfire on the back patio and camping. This proud, resourceful dairy farmer could build, fix, weld and create anything needed on the farm.

Clifford Anderson died with family at his side on December 18, 2025, in Marshall, Minnesota. He reached the age of 89 years and 6 months and 10 days. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jeanette Anderson of Marshall; 4 children, Keith (and Cynthia) Anderson of Cottonwood, Erik (and Monica) Anderson of Cottonwood, Susan (and Jim) Rink of Naperville, IL, Jane (Brian Hermsen) Dunteman of Harrisburg, SD; 9 grandchildren, Brittany Anderson, Kayla Anderson, Lee Anderson, Matthew Anderson, Morgan Rink, Garrett Rink, Ian Rink, Conner (and Courtney) Dunteman, Hunter (and Brittany) Dunteman; great-granddaughter, Juno Dunteman; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Cliff was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hannah Anderson; grandchildren, Dalton Anderson, Rebecca Anderson; and a daughter-in-law, Merrilee Anderson.