Durant Albin Anderson Estelline, South Dakota Funeral Service 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 8, 2003 Trinity Lutheran Church Estelline, South Dakota Rev. Ann E.S. Webb, Officiating Interment Hillcrest Cemetery Estelline, South Dakota Visitation 4PM to 8PM Monday at Geise Funeral Home in Estelline. Durant Albin Anderson, son of C.V. Albin and Mary (Jones) Anderson, was born December 30, 1921 at Erwin, South Dakota. He graduated from Erwin High School in 1939 and worked as a farmhand to earn tuition for college. He began college at South Dakota State in Brookings in September of 1940. Since the nation was deeply engaged in World War II, Durant enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 and was trained as an ensign. While serving as executive officer on a minesweeper in the Pacific Ocean, his ship sank on a reef near Okinawa during a typhoon. After preparing a final action report, Durant was discharged from the Navy in June of 1946. He returned to South Dakota State and graduated as a mechanical engineer in March of 1948. Because of his parents' diminishing health, he chose to stay on the farm, working with and caring for them until their deaths. During many of the 45 years he was an active farmer, Durant also farmed the former Carl Johann Anderson homestead land in Hartland Township in northern Kingsbury County. He retired from active farming in 1993. Durant died on Saturday, July 5, 2003 at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center at the age of 81 years, 6 months and 5 days. Like many farmers, Durant spent some of his time participating in community affairs. As a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, he served on the board of education, was a financial secretary, and was president of the congregation leading up to the construction of the new church in 1960. Being a veteran, Durant was very active in promoting the affairs of the Estelline American Legion. He served as the post's commander in 1958. He is survived by three loving sisters, Juanita Beam of Lawndale, NC, Audrey Van Bemmel of Estelline and Judith Hauffe and her husband Paul of Sioux Falls, SD; He is also survived by four nieces, six nephews, several great nieces and nephews, many cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends. Durant was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers-in-law, Charles Beam and John Van Bemmel, a niece and a nephew.