Howard Aanenson

HOWARD AANENSON was born on June 4, 1928 at Kenneth, Minnesota to Ole and Otelia (Olson) Aanenson who were descendants of Norway. Howard was only eight years old when his father died and he went to live with his sister and helped on the farm. When he was 14 years old, he started driving truck for Christensen Trucking in Kanaranzi, Minnesota without a legal license, and he was driving truck to Sioux City, Iowa and southwest Minnesota hauling cattle. He also worked in Luverne, Minnesota at Clyde's Meat Market where he delivered groceries. Howard quit school when he was a freshman so he could work and help make a living for his family. On March 1, 1948, he married Lavanelle Nelson in Luverne. Following their marriage, they started farming. They farmed near Kenneth, Hardwick and Pipestone, Minnesota. In 1967, they moved to Pipestone and Howard worked as a salesman for Ahrendt and Farrell Implement for 20+ years. He also served as a Pipestone County Commissioner for two terms. He was a born salesman. He went to work selling land at Farm Credit Services. After he retired in 1986, he and Lavanelle traveled from coast to coast enjoying and making new friends. During this time, they also sold pictures at craft shows and outdoor festivals. On October 17, 2011, Howard passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 83 years, four months and 13 days.

Howard was a member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone. They had a lake home at Lake Shetek where they enjoyed spending the summer months. Howard loved to have friends and lots of fun. He loved to dance. Howard and Lavanelle danced several times during the month. He especially liked to play cards. He truly loved his family and spending time with them.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Lavanelle Aanenson of Pipestone, Minnesota; three children, Larry Aanenson and his wife Penni of Fulda, Minnesota, Sheila Tappe and her husband Vincent of Blaine, Minnesota, Dennis Aanenson and his wife Lizette of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; nine grandchildren; two great-grandsons; one brother, John Gordon Aanenson and his wife Gloria of Luverne, Minnesota; and two sisters, Joanne Barmore and her husband Gary of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Ramona Skidmore of Spooner, Wisconsin; and many many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; eight siblings, Thelma Bonnett, Alfie Brandenburg, Olga Brandenburg, Alma Ellsworth, Orville Aanenson, Norman Aanenson, Norma Zimmerman, and Orla Powell; and an infant sister, Ramona.

Memorials are preferred to Alzheimers Foundation for research.