George A Anderson Sr.

George Andrew Anderson Sr, the son of Nels and Cleo (Phillips) Anderson, was born on December 16, 1926, in Summit, South Dakota. He died on January 24, 2026, at the Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville, Iowa at the age of 99 years.

George attended Armstrong schools until the 8th grade. He enlisted in the United States Navy on December 13, 1944, serving on the USS Lexington. He was honorably discharged on August 3, 1946.

He married Kathaleen Godsil on May 1, 1948, at the Baptist church parsonage in Estherville. To this union, three children were born, George Jr., Deanna, and Kent.

George worked for John Morell until the plant closed, after he worked as a security guard for Flex Steel in Milford. In his free time, he enjoyed baseball and softball, playing in the fast pitch league. He had the fastest hard pitch ever, according to his grandchildren. He also enjoyed fishing, watching westerns and was a great roller skater. He skated until he was in his 70s. He loved family vacations and the Iowa Hawkeyes. George was very active in the church, serving as a deacon and trustee at the church and helped out with youth group.

George is survived by his wife, Kathaleen Anderson of Estherville; daughter, Deanna (Paul) Gjerde of Detroit Lakes, MN; son, Kent (Rebecca) Anderson of Gilbert, MN; 10 grandchildren, Amy (Malinda) McCauley, April (Brian) Butcher, Amber (Kevin Lang) Thelen, Alicia (Cody Egel) Thelen, Angel (Kyle Badker) Anderson, Michelle (Jason) Wald, Jennifer (Scott Coffman) Sheda, Nathanael Sheda, Leah (Charles) Hipple, and Rose Anderson; 22 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Arneson and Charlye Nelson; as well as many other extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, George Anderson Jr., parents, Nels and Cleo (Phillips) Anderson, grandparents, Charles and Evajane Johnson, and sister, Ivadel Simmons.