Arland Jens Andersen

Andersen, Arland Jens 91 Feb. 02, 1920 Nov. 26, 2011 Arland, dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, passed away peacefully Saturday night in the company of his family at Carlene's Comfort Care in Scio. A longtime resident of Portland and Wilsonville, Arland was born in Veblen, S.D., and grew up in Toledo, Wash. As a young man, he worked for his uncles' logging operations and helped on family farms. He attended the University of Washington until joining the Army in January, 1942. Arland served in transport command for the Army Air Corps until May 1945, delivering planes and supplies during WWII, and flying supplies over "the Hump" of the Himalayas between India and China. Family and friends have enjoyed many colorful stories over the years from his time in service. Returning from the war, Arland lived in Chicago, where he was married briefly and had one daughter, Arlene. In 1949, Arland joined his brother in Portland, where he met the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Nancy (Baumhover) Andersen. They were married in December, 1950, and raised four children together. Arland enjoyed golfing, gourmet cooking, fishing and hunting, taking his young family camping and exploring the wine country of California. He greatly enjoyed the time he spent at Shaniko Ranch, helping to develop the hunting ranch where he and his brother and the other members shared many adventures. Later in life, he also enjoyed cruise travel with Nancy. Arland worked most of his professional life for H.A. Andersen Construction Company, founded by his brother, H.A. "Andy" Andersen. He eventually became V.P. in charge of the equipment company, but is most remembered and respected as the man who finessed the permitting process, negotiating successfully with numerous agencies to enable the completion of many commercial and industrial construction projects. He and Nancy lived in Charbonneau in Wilsonville from 1980 to 2007, where they formed many close friendships and were very active in the community, especially with the city planning board and the Wilsonville Public Library Foundation. In 2007, Arland and Nancy moved to Scio to live with their daughter, B.J,. and her partner, Teresa McKenzie. In the fall of 2009, due to complications of injuries and Alzheimer's, Arland moved to an adult care home in Scio, where Nancy visited him almost every day. Whenever she came in the room, his face would light up and his lips would pucker for a kiss from his wife, whom he always recognized as the most beautiful love of his life. A deeply kind and generous man, Arland was dearly loved by many, and was a friend, mentor, second father and confidante to many of his children's friends. There was always room at the Andersen dinner table for another person, who would immediately be made to feel like one of the family. Arland loved baking bread for his family and friends, and his cinnamon rolls were relished by everyone fortunate enough to be on his delivery schedule. He is lovingly remembered as "Unc" by nieces, nephews and longtime employees of H.A. Andersen Company. Arland is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughters, Arlene Kujat, Barbara Andersen, Maryliz Herron and B.J. Andersen; his grandchildren, Jeffrey, Brian, Erica, Kelly, Katrina, Rhonda and Regina; and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother, H.A. "Andy" Andersen, and by his son, Gregory Andersen. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5, 2011, at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6801 SW Sunset Hwy. Portland, OR 97225, reception to follow service.