A long-time resident of Prior Lake, Roy Jens Andersen, age 93, entered eternal peace, late Thursday morning, April 10, 2014, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, in Minneapolis, MN. The Celebration of Life Service will be on Tuesday, April 15 at 6 pm, with visitation starting at 3 pm, all at McKenna Crossing 13810 Shepherd’s Path, Prior Lake, MN, with a reception to follow. Pastor Dwight DePenning will preside. At a private burial, Roy will be laid to rest next to his wife, at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, in Prior Lake, MN.
On December 21, 1920 in Minneapolis, MN, Roy was born to parents John and Anna Martine (Christiansen) Andersen. The oldest of five children, he grew up spending most of his time milking cows and tending to the crops, on the family farm. The first farm was in Bloomington and in 1929, the family ventured across the river, far, far away to Prior Lake. Roy attended Credit River Grade School through the eighth grade and being the oldest child needed to stay home to assist his father on the farm. He also helped other farmers with threshing and a horse driven baler. Roy also installed the first telephone poles in the area for R.E.A.
On November 25, 1944 to January 2, 1947, Roy proudly served in the United States Merchant Marines. It was while in Portland, he was introduced through a friend to a young gal named Kathleen Kohler. Their love grew for one another and on February 19, 1947, at her aunt’s home in Vancouver, WA, they exchanged wedding vows. Roy brought his bride back to Minnesota and went into partnership with his dad on the farm. It was here Roy and Kay built a home and raised 6 beautiful children. In 1967, he sold the cows and started working for the Bloomington School District, as a bus driver and custodian, until he retired in 1983. Roy then filled in as a school bus driver for different owners in the area.
Despite the daily chores on a farm, Roy’s family was able to enjoy many trips to the cabin at Detroit Lakes, MN. Roy and Kay were even fortunate to travel throughout Europe, the Philippines, and Hawaii, while visiting Gary in the service. As a family, they also traveled many times to Bismarck, ND to visit relatives. Back in the day, Roy enjoyed spending Saturday nights watching All Star Wrestling and Lawrence Welk and looked forward to the annual hog roast, with the neighbors.
Devoted to his sweet corn patch, Roy was known for having the best patch in the county. He had a special love for farm tractors, like his John Deere’s and Ford and was very proud of his Danish heritage. But over the last several years, Roy was an ambassador for McKenna Crossing. He treasured delivering packages and newsletters to the residents, and welcoming guests in the front lobby.
A member of the Prior Lake Lions Club, upon Roy’s passing; he donated his eyes for research, to the Lions Eye Bank. For 64 years, Roy was a devoted and loving husband. He was a quiet, gentle and soft spoken dad and grandpa.
Left to honor Roy’s life and mourn his death are children, Gary (Linda) Andersen, Steve (Ruth) Andersen, Ken (Carol) Andersen, Becky (Ron) Deming, Lyn (Jim) Walsh; son-in-law, Roger Bresnahan; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Don (Collette) Andersen; sister, Betty Ancel; and many other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death and there to welcome Roy home, his wife, Kay; daughter, Myrna Bresnahan; grandchildren, Christopher Andersen, Jackie Simon, Abigale Andersen; parents; sisters, Pearl (Chet) Clemmer, Gladys (Vince) Mahoney; and brother-in-law, Bill Ancel.
Urn bearers for Roy will be his grandsons, Dan Walsh and Andrew Simon.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation Services, Prior Lake, MN, is honored to serve the Andersen family. www.BallardSunderFuneral.com
