Clarence W. Anderson, age 91, died Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at the United Retirement Center in Brookings, South Dakota. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 19, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings, with interment at First Lutheran Cemetery in Brookings. Visitations will be 5-7 P.M. Friday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings and one hour prior to the funeral service.
Clarence Wilfred Anderson was born August 13, 1918, at the Anderson farm home in Brookings County, the son of Andrew H. and Ingaborg (Goodoien) Anderson. He attended rural school at District #63 and later earned his high school diploma. On June 19,1942, he married LaVina Jane Drake at Singsaas Lutheran church. Clarence and La Vina would have been married 68 years on June 19.
Clarence and LaVina farmed near Oak Lake in Brookings County until 1954 when they moved to Astoria, South Dakota. While living in Astoria, Clarence worked at the Astoria Grain Elevator. In 1956 the family moved to Brookings, where Clarence was employed by South Dakota State University as an electrician until he retired in 1981. After retirement from SDSU, Clarence spent several years helping a daughter and son-in-law with farmwork in Sinai, South Dakota.
Clarence enjoyed working with his hands and liked to keep busy. Some of his woodworking projects were given to his children and grandchildren. Clarence also spent many hours reading, which became one of his favorite hobbies. He treasured his many years with his beloved wife LaVina, and his entire family. Clarence was loved dearly by his family and friends. He was known as a man of few words, honest and hard-working. Blessed be his memory.
Survivors include his wife, LaVina, of Brookings; two daughters: Sharon (Mark) Stime of Sinai, South Dakota, and Betty (John) Seidel of Owatonna, Minnesota; four granddaughters: Lisa (Dirk) Norgaard of Fridley, Minnesota, Lori Stime (John Fissore) of Union City, California, Amy Seidel (Mike Coddington) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Kari (Bill) Aase of St. Paul, Minnesota; eight great-grandsons; six great-granddaughters; one great-great-granddaughter; one sister, Viola Knutson of Brandon, South Dakota; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Carol Stewart (Tim Kruzel) of Dallas, Texas; his grandson, Todd Stime, of Oakdale, California; his brothers: Justin, Harry, Alvin, and Francis; and his sisters: Ida Hindbjorgen, Cora Mennis, and Evelyn Sandro.
Cards of condolence may be sent to LaVina Anderson, Park Place Assisted Living, 104 4th Street, Brookings, South Dakota. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church in Brookings or to the donors choice.