Charlie Anderson
This Christmas, Charles Wilton Anderson will be spending it with the Lord. On Tuesday morning, December 23, 2014, he passed away peacefully at the age of 94, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, in Shakopee, MN.
The family will greet guests on Monday, December 29 from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee and also one hour prior to the service at church. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, December 30, at 11 am, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 119 Eighth Avenue West, Shakopee, MN. Pastor Christine Wenzel will preside. He will be laid to rest next to his wife at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery, Shakopee, MN. Full military honors will be provided by the Shakopee Veterans Memorial Unit.
On April 21, 1920, in Alexandria, MN, Charlie was born to parents, August and Betsy (Lundgren) Anderson. The youngest of ten children, he spent most of his childhood years in the Alexandria and Cokato area. He grew up during the Depression, but with hard work and determination, he and his family persevered.
Proudly serving in the United States Army, Charlie served during World War II, as a Radioman with the 772 nd Armored Tank Destroyer Battalion. His division had a tour of Europe with time spent in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, searching and destroying enemy tanks.
While in the service, Charlie married Ruth Drahos from Hutchinson, MN on April 21, 1942. They lived in Cokato, Texas, California, Hopkins and Shakopee. Ruth passed on June 17, 1963. On October 24, 1964, Charlie married Winifred Rosalia Hill from Shakopee. They were blessed with four children, Bradley, Susan, Daniel and David. Charlie and Winnie raised their children in Shakopee. Road trips as a family were special especially to see family and to his Uncle’s resort in Alexandria. After Charlie retired, he and Winnie loved to travel and were always able to find relatives and Army buddies to visit no matter where they went. They had fond memories of voyages on cruises and touring Asia and Europe, which allowed him to visit the areas where he was stationed in the Army. But Charlie and Winnie were most content spending time with their grandchildren and watching them grow. On February 18, 2012, Winnie passed away. Charlie then spent his remaining years in an apartment at McKenna Crossings Memory Care.
After the Army, Charlie was a mechanic and truck driver but spent most of his career employed at Anchor Glass (formerly Midland Glass) in Shakopee. He was a member of Local 133. In 1985, he retired and devoted his free time volunteering, primarily driving for Scott County and delivering Meals on Wheels. Charlie was awarded the Scott County Volunteer of the Year in 1994. A devoted man of faith, he was also an active member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Charlie enjoyed taping the services and visiting with parish members the most. Back in the day, Charlie also loved his weekly bowling league and taught himself to play the organ and accordion.
A man of deep faith, led Charlie to be a kind and giving husband, father and grandfather, who was a good hearted servant of the Lord. Left to honor Charlie’s life and mourn the death are his children, Brad (Karla) Anderson, Susan (Jim) Fletcher, Daniel (Anna) Anderson, David (Dana) Anderson; grandchildren, Lauren and Braden Fletcher, Ava, Alex, Leah and Charlie Anderson; many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and devoted friends
Preceded in death and there to welcome Charlie home in heaven are Winnie and his first wife, Ruth; parents, August and Betsy; siblings, Myrtle Jensen, Minnie Tollefson, Elsie Davis, Ed Anderson, Bill Anderson, Ellen McClees Wrench, Violet Cochran, Walter Anderson and Elmer Anderson.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Anderson family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
