Harold Anderson

Harold (Andy) Martin Anderson, 85, passed from this life, Thursday, February 6, 2014 at his home. Harold was the son of Gust and Amanda (Strandberg) Anderson, and was the youngest of nine children. He was born in Cuddahay, Wisconsin on June 21, 1928. His mother, Amanda Strandberg, was the daughter of John Strandberg, who was the pioneer that built the city of Strandberg, South Dakota. Harold was orphaned as a young boy and was raised by his sister Gladys, and his brother Robert (Ted) on the family farm near Rothsay, MN. Harold was driving tractors and doing farm chores at a young age, and those work ethics carried throughout his life.

Harold served in the US Army during the Korean War, and studied mechanics during this time in New Jersey, before being shipped off to Germany to maintain war equipment. On his return to the states, he met the love of his life, Evelyn Gilbertson. They were married on July 31, 1954 in Breckenridge, MN. After a short time they moved to Detroit Lakes and made their home on the south shore of Little Detroit Lake where they raised their three children; Beverly, Linda and David.

Harold was employed at the Lakeview Station owned and operated by Chester Johnson. Harold made many friends during this time, as he was an auto mechanic, and also helped out many people when they were in need. That's how he acquired the name, "Andy" or "Handy Andy". In his older years, he would tell the many stories about his friends and how he helped them out, and many of these tales were very entertaining to listen to. One such instance was when the mailman couldn't drive through the deep snow, but the mail had to go through. Harold hooked up the mailman's car behind his plow truck and pulled him around the lake so he could make the deliveries. As Andy recalled his friends from the past, he would remember the year and model of the cars they drove! Harold had a love for anything with wheels, especially tractors and collectable cars. He looked forward to the Steam Thresher's Reunions every year. His special nephew, Kenneth Anderson, would accompany him to these events at Dalton and Rollag. Harold's great-grandson, Wyatt Johnson, was born with the same love of tractors and has already attended the Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion twice and at the young age of three! Harold's legacy lives on. Harold's interests were many: reading, gardening, welding, blacksmithing, auctions, fishing and hunting, tinkering with his tractors, and especially visiting family and friends. In his last years, he spent much time scrapping iron, and made many trips to Hartman's, since he had acquired quite a bit of metal over the years. As his strength waned, he would keep busy doing anything his body would allow. Harold is survived by a son, David and a daughter, Beverly (Paul) Johnson all of Detroit Lakes. Granddaughter, Teri (Nathian) Johnson and their daughters; Danielle, Abby and Lily, Grandson Joe (Hope) Johnson and their son, Wyatt, all of Detroit Lakes. Grandson; James (Abby) Johnson and their son, Logan of Pelican Rapids, Grandson Michael (April) Fistler of Detroit Lakes, Special Nephew; Kenneth (Ruthie) Anderson of Fergus Falls and many nieces and nephews as well as other loved ones. Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, who passed on January 2012. A daughter, Linda Fistler and her husband Jim. Harold's parents; Gust and Amanda Anderson. Four Sisters: Ruth, Gladys, Edna and Helen. Four Brothers: John, Robert (Ted), Lloyd and Milton. In Lieu of a traditional funeral there will be a graveside service at a later date for both Harold and Evelyn.

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

---

Cemetery Details

Location

---