Richard “Dick” Anderson, of Prior Lake, passed away on May 16, 2024 at the age of 87.
Mass of Christian Burial is on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Services will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside, and Dick will be laid to rest at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Prior Lake. Guests may join the mass via live stream at the following link: Dick Anderson Service .
On June 26, 1936, Richard Ernest Anderson was born to parents, Reuben & Pearl (Peterson) Anderson. Dick enjoyed growing up in the Duluth area with his older sister, Marilyn. He loved Lake Superior and the North Shore. After graduating from Central High School in 1954, Dick earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1958 and began working for Sears in Minneapolis. Dick went back to school earning an additional bachelor’s degree from Mankato State University in 1969 and became a special education teacher in the Edina Public Schools. He completed his master’s degree in 1977 and worked at Valley View Junior High until his retirement in 1991. Dick touched the lives of many students over the years.
During his time at UMD, Dick met and married the love of his life, Ethel Sutter. The two exchanged wedding vows in Duluth on October 28, 1961. Dick and Ethel settled in the Apple Valley area to raise their family. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Richie and Catherine. Dick was a true family man and spent as much time as he could with his family. He shared his lifelong love for Lake Superior and the beautiful North Shore with them. He and Ethel enjoyed traveling, card club, going to a play or movie, and spending time with friends and family. Dick loved spending time with Richie whether it was going out to eat, playing a game, doing a puzzle, or taking Richie on a vacation. Their favorite vacation was either a cruise or a trip to Branson that always included some country music shows. Catherine and Dick shared a love of biking. They would go on 25+ mile rides together (well into his upper 70’s). One of their favorite trails was the Cannon Valley Bike Trail, which included a stop for lunch at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing or the Mill Street Tavern in Cannon Falls.
As his family grew with the addition of grandkids, so did Dick’s heart. He never missed a hockey/softball/baseball game or school event. Dick wanted to be there to support his grandkids as much as he possibly could. He was always there bright and early to help when a last-minute babysitter was needed. Dick enjoyed reading with them, taking the kids to the park, swimming, going to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre and just hanging out with them. Kayla and Grayson truly were the light of his life. Anytime you talked about his grandkids, his face would light up. He was so proud of them!
Over the years, Dick and Ethel passed on their love of travel to the entire family. They took many wonderful family trips over the years with both family and friends. The most memorable was a cruise with the entire family to celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary in June of 2011.
Dick was known for being reliable, supportive and someone who always gave good advice. He was kind, loving, and had a quick wit that always made others chuckle. Dick loved his family more than anything, and he will be greatly missed by all of them.
He is survived by his wife, Ethel Anderson; children, Richie Anderson and Catherine (Kevin) Bartol; grandchildren; Kayla Bartol and Grayson Bartol; brother-in-law, Dick Berg. Dick was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Reuben & Pearl Anderson; sister, Marilyn Berg.
