Funeral Service
10:30 A.M., Monday, March 16, 2009
Trinity Lutheran Church
Lake Norden, South Dakota
Rev. Gene Peterson, Officiating

Interment
Danish Lutheran Cemetery
Lake Norden, South Dakota

Visitation
2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., Sunday at Geise Funeral Chapel in Lake Norden.


John L. Andersen, son of Carl and Anna (Larsen) Andersen, was born February 23, 1924, on the family farm south of Lake Norden, South Dakota. He graduated from Lake Norden High School and after his father passed away he took over the family farm. As a young man, during the winter months he went to Seattle, Washington and worked as a scaler on ships at Todds Dry Dock. John was united in marriage to Dora C. Severson on July 27, 1947, in DeSmet, South Dakota. They farmed until 2002 when he retired but remained on the farm. He died on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at his home on the family farm at the age of 85 years and 17 days.

A highlight of his life was when he and Arthur Anderson visited his brother Curtis in Africa in February of 1980. John loved farming and was known for his honesty. He also enjoyed attending tractor pulls and air shows and loved flying.

He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Norden, the Elks Club in Brookings, and served on the boards of the Badger Farmers Elevator and rural School District #16.

Grateful for having shared his life are three daughters, Joan Aho and her husband Tom of Big Stone Lake, SD, Sandra Aho and her husband Larry of Lake Norden, Nancy Andersen Hurtle and her husband Dave of Rapid City, SD; eight grandchildren; five great grandchildren; two sisters, Verna Siordia of Bend, OR, Arcella Seymour of Bedford, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by his wife Dora on January 11, 2005; a grandson, Timothy Aho; his parents; two brothers, Alan N. Andersen and Curtis C. Andersen; and one sister, June (Andersen) Ellsworth.