Eugene Anderson

Eugene “Gene” Roger Anderson was born March 15, 1926, in Enderlin, North Dakota, to Marguerite (Onstad) and Albert Anderson. He died on Friday, December 29, 2006, at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, ND, at the age of 80. Gene grew up in Enderlin, where he enjoyed a life full of great friends and neighbors and loving family. He began working at his Aunt Mildred’s and Uncle Olgar’s Onstad Hardware Store in the fifth grade. He participated fully in all areas of his school life, especially enjoying hunting with his buddies, driving truck for Fritz Truck Line, playing football and basketball, sousaphone in the marching band and singing in the acappella choir. He attended Enderlin High School and left shortly after graduation, when he was drafted into the U.S. Navy. He served as Coxswain’s Mate on LCI 968 in the South Pacific, during WWII. He often revisited those days, especially remembering time in New Guinea, the Philippines and China. He returned to Enderlin, where he met his life-long sweetheart, Muriel Strand. They were married September 13, 1947. He attended North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) on the G.I. Bill and graduated from North Dakota State School of Science, Wahpeton, in 1952. He began working for Dakota Plate Glass Company in Fargo, where he became General Manager. In 1978, he started Glass Unlimited, Inc. with his brother-in-law, Wayne Strand. He retired in 1995. He, and his family, joined Olivet Lutheran Church in 1952. He served in many capacities, including the church council, but especially contributed by singing as a low bass in the Olivet Choir for more than fifty years. Gene was a wholehearted member of Sertoma Service Club, in which he served as District Governor, Chapter President and Regional Representative for the National Sertoma Foundation. After retirement, he joined the Sons of Norway where he served as Corporation President, Kringen Klub President and was an enthusiastic member of the Thursday team for ten years. Gene was known for his gregarious nature, excitement for each and every day of his life, powerful storytelling, and love of hunting and fishing with family and friends. He was legendary in his shooting ability, making more than one triple shot while hunting sharptail grouse near Beulah, North Dakota. He loved people, especially his wife, son, family, friends and whoever stepped into his life most recently. He had an uncanny ability to learn anyone’s life story within minutes of meeting them and lent a sympathetic ear to any troubled soul. He delighted in playing with his granddaughters and great-grandchildren, even allowing the “little girls” to braid his hair so they wouldn’t mess up Muriel’s beautiful “do.” Gene is survived by his wife, Muriel, Fargo, ND; one son, Bruce (Janice Lee Hill) Anderson, Fargo, ND; his granddaughters, Amy Lee Anderson (Eric Bailly), Denver, CO; Liza Marie Anderson (Mark) Schmid, Minneapolis, MN; great-granddaughters, Jensina and Amelia Bailly, Denver, CO; and great-grandson, Trygve Schmid, Minneapolis, MN. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his only brother, Denis; and his godparents, Olgar and Mildred Onstad. Memorials are preferred to Olivet Lutheran Church Choir Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association. Visitation: Sunday, December 31, 2006, from 1-3 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Funeral Service: Monday, January 1, 2007, at 10:30 AM, at Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial: Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at 9:00 AM, at Sunset Memorial Gardens Fargo, ND.