John Alfred Anderson

  Rock Rapids, IA        John Anderson, age 85 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, May 29, 2017 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN.        Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 3rd at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating.        Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, IA.        Visitation will be Friday, June 2nd from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids.        Johnie Alfred Anderson was born May 30, 1931 in Akron, Colorado, the son of Conrad and Clara (Tvietnes) Anderson.  As a young child, his family moved to a farm northeast of George, IA.  He attended George Community School.  After his education, he remained living with his parents and helped with the family farm.  On November 19, 1951 John entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Korea.  He received his honorable discharge on November 13, 1953 and returned to George area continuing to work on the family farm.  He was a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve until 1959. He was united in marriage to Mary Marie Peterson in Luverne, MN on June 8, 1956.  They moved to Sibley, IA in 1960 where he sold Mormon Feed.  The family then moved to a farm near Rock Rapids, where he worked for Harry Rasmussen as a handyman.  He then began working for Telford Plumbing & Heating in Rock Rapids.  During this time, he received his education from Sheldon Community College and completed his apprenticeship and eventually his Journeyman’s License and began his own business. John’s Plumbing & Heating began in 1973 and ran until John’s retirement in December of 2011.    John’s pride was his family, his business and building his own home for his family.        John was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Rock Rapids, IA, Rex Strait Post No. 103, American Legion of Rock Rapids and the Lion’s Club of Rock Rapids.  He enjoyed collecting toy tractors, woodworking, and camping with his family.  John always looked forward to having coffee with his friends.           This past Monday, May 29, 2017, John died at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN at the age of 85.  He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Anderson of Rock Rapids, IA; two daughters, Rhonda (Lyle) Olson of Steen, MN and Tamara (Mark) Dillingham of Spirit Lake, IA; eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Stacy) Olson and their children, Ashley, Jakob, Rylee and Carly,  Erika (Brad) Thedens and their children, Clay, Zack and Zoe,  Hailey Olson, Heather Anderson and her children, Devin and Ryan, Meghan (Dave) Sierck and their children, Dawson and Gabrielle, Rachel Anderson, Landon Dillingham and Dylan Anderson; brother-in-law, Marvin (Mary) Peterson of Rock Rapids, IA; sister-in-law, Lillian Peterson of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.        He was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Clara Anderson; son, Randall Anderson; brother, Milton Anderson and other brothers-in law and sisters-in-law.