Elsie M. Anderson

ELSIE MARIE ANDERSON was born March 5, 1928 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to John “Jake” and Ethyl “Pearl” (McKillop) Pritchard. Her English father worked for the stockyard and her Scottish mother took care of Elsie and her six siblings. She attended school in Sioux Falls through the eighth grade. Times were hard and she grew up fast and was married at a young age to Chester Anderson in Luverne, Minnesota on November 25, 1942. Shortly after her marriage Chester was drafted into the United States Army and fought in World War II. While he was gone for 2 years, Elsie worked and took care of her mother who had poor health. When Chester returned they moved to White Earth Valley, North Dakota to be near his parents. Elsie enjoyed the farm but became lonely at times. Faye Moore lived across the creek and when Elsie would need some company she would hang a white dish towel on the clothesline and that would be Faye’s signal to come over for a cup of coffee. Elsie developed close bonds with the neighbor ladies and they had many good times. However, Chester did not like farming and instead wanted to fly, so the couple moved to Williston, North Dakota where he obtained his pilot’s license. After seven years of marriage Elsie had their first child. She went on to have six children in seven years, during which the family moved to Powers Lake, North Dakota where Chester had an airport and Elsie worked as a nurses’ aide. Seven years later Elsie had their seventh child. Since both Elsie and Chester each came from a family of seven, they often joked that seven had to be their lucky number. Pursuing Chester’s engineering degree took them back to Sioux Falls, Seattle, Washington and eventually to the Lakeview and Howard City, Michigan areas. Here Elsie worked at the Hi-Q Factory making turning signal wires for cars and Chester operated a shop, airplane hangar, and private runway. In 1990, Elsie retired after 20 years at the factory to help care for Chester who had developed Multiple Sclerosis. The couple enjoyed entertaining visiting family and friends in Michigan and also took many trips to see their children and grandchildren who lived out-of-state. In 2001 Chester entered the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne. In 2003 he passed away there, 2 months after he and Elsie had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Elsie spent the next 5 years living close to her children; she spent time living in Howard City, Michigan, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Stanley, North Dakota and eventually settled back in Luverne. In 2010 Elsie moved to the Good Samaritan Society - Mary Jane Brown Home and in September of 2012 she moved to the Minnesota Veterans Home. She died peacefully in her sleep joining her beloved Chester on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.

Elsie was known for her tireless care giving qualities. When she was young she enjoyed sewing and gardening and later canning and cooking for her family. She also enjoyed Bingo, completing word find puzzles, watching Wheel of Fortune, the Price Is Right and Dr. Phil and listening to county music. Elsie possessed a true sense of spirituality and a deep love and belief in God. When faced with life’s many struggles she knew God always walked with her and Elsie was forever grateful for everything she received.

She is lovingly remembered by her seven children, Michael (Sofia) Anderson of Lansing, Michigan, Jeanette (Marvin) Skalicky of Luverne, Roger (Diana) Anderson of Phoenix, Arizona, Bonnie Ralph of Luverne, Patricia (ex-husband, Jeff) Moyer of Burton, Michigan, Mary Jane Wilson of Camden, Ohio, and James (ex-wife, Perri) Anderson of Howard City, Michigan; 25 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren (and 2 on the way); two sisters-in-law, Doris Anderson of Brush, Colorado and Kathryn Leffler of Memphis, Tennessee; niece, Lucy (Harlan) Rohrbach of Sioux Falls; and other family and friends. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Chester Anderson; daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann Anderson; son-in-law, Doug Ralph; granddaughter, Tina Wilson; great-grandson, Donovan Fitzpatrick; parents, Jake and Pearl Pritchard; a sister, Thelma Tjosvold; and five brothers, Raymond, Harold, Dale, Herbert, and Vernon.