Delsmore Anderson

Delsmore "Lee" Anderson, age 71, of Frazee, formerly of Kandiyohi, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2016, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, after a brief illness with multiple myeloma cancer. A gathering of friends and family (open house style) will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, May 27, 2016, at David Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Lee was born on October 7, 1944, to Delsmore and Irene (Kneebs) Anderson, in Viborg, SD. The family ran a country store in Centerville, SD, and then a service station in Sioux City, IA, before moving to Long Prairie, MN, in 1957 where they farmed. He graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1962. He attended Staples Vocational and Technical College, where he graduated in 1964. Lee was united in marriage to Janice Lietz on April 15, 1966, and they were blessed with two daughters. He worked in Minneapolis at American Machine and Tool as a machinist until 1968 before moving to Kandiyohi, where he operated a welding, machine, and auto body shop for the next 30 years. In addition to his own shop, Lee also worked for Willmar Manufacturing from 1980 to 1995. Their dream of living in the woods became reality in 1998 when the couple moved to their 172 acres near Frazee, a place they considered their paradise. Lee had many interests and talents. He was a dedicated conservationist of the woods, tapped maple trees , did woodworking, cut firewood, restored gas engines, built model gas engines, blazed trails in his woods, cross country skied and went on trips with friends. His great passion was working in his shop, making one of a kind parts, gears and igniters for old gas engines, tractors and cars. Lee enjoyed attending and exhibiting his gas engines at threshing and gas engine shows, including Albany, Atwater, and Rollag, as well as shows around the country. He was a cherished member of the collector community with vast knowledge, expertise, and a willingness to share his wisdom which was appreciated by his many friends. There was nothing that Lee couldn't make, and he delighted in figuring out problems. Lee was most proud of the projects that took many, many years of thought, research and miles traveling to gather parts. These included a 1916 Happy Farmer Tractor, 1908 Horseless Carriage, and 1915 REO touring car, which were his crowning achievements. He even fulfilled a life's dream when he drove the 1915 REO on an eight day, 865 mile trip from his grandparent's farm in Centerville, SD, to Bengough, Saskatchewan, Canada; a trip that Lee's grandparents made with their 4 children, including Lee's father, roughly a century ago. Lee is survived by his wife, Jan; daughters, Corinne (Kirsten Johnson) Anderson of Chaska, MN, and Carmen Anderson (Bill Laity) of Asheville, NC; a sister-in-law, Shirley Knuth of Austin, TX; a nephew, Arin Knuth (Stepanie) and family of Austin, TX; and his cats, Sophie and Reilly. He is preceded in death by his parents, Delsmore and Irene; and Justin his beloved cat. Lee and his family are very grateful for the loving care he received and thank the Oncology staff on the 7th floor at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, May 27, 2016
Service
Friday, May 27, 2016

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