Philip Sexton Anderson

HOT SPRINGS - Philip Sexton Anderson, 93, Hot Springs, died Friday, April 11, 2003, at Fall River Hospital. Philip was born at Valla Sateri, Rok, Sweden June 25, 1909. He emigrated, with his parents, Carl August and Hulda (Hellberg) and siblings, to America in March 1910. He grew up on a farm near Rowena, SD, and graduated from South Dakota State University's School of Agriculture in Brookings in 1929. Phil farmed around the Rowena, Sioux Falls, and Canton areas. He married Elenora Muchow at Harrisburg in 1940 and had two children, Malon and Phyllis Anderson. The Andersons continued to farm in eastern South Dakota until buying a ranch west of Hot Springs at Minnekahta in 1959. They retired from ranching and moved to Hot Springs in 1972. The future location of the Hot Springs Mammoth Site was unearthed while Phil was developing property for a housing subdivision. Phil's philanthropy was the beginning of what was to become the major paleontological site in South Dakota. The successful development of the Mammoth Site was a source of pride for both Philip and Elenora. They were honored by their induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in September 2002, in recognition for their contribution to the state. Phil also enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting gardening, and traveling with his family. Philip is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elenora H. (Muchow) Anderson; son, Malon and daughter-in-law Kathy, Hot Springs; daughter, Phyllis Anderson and son-in-law Dr. Tom Hines, San Francisco; sister, Viola Freshour, Arizona, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces in Sioux Falls, SD. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in Phil's name at the Mammoth Site and St. John's Lutheran Church, Hot Springs. "The reach of men with kind, strong hearts extends beyond those they know." Services will be held April 19, 2003 at 2 p.m. at McColley's Chapels of the Hills, Hot Springs, SD, with Rev. Kevin Clark officiating. Inurnment will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD at a later date, with graveside memorial services.