John "Gordy" Aanenson

JOHN GORDON 'GORDY' AANENSON was born 8 of 13 children to Ole and Otellia (Olson) Aanenson on November 10, 1925 on a farm North of Kanaranzi, Minnesota. At a young age his family moved near the Blue Mounds just north of Luverne, Minnesota. Gordy’s father, Ole, died when Gordy was 11 years old. Shortly after his death the family moved into Luverne. Gordy completed the eighth grade and then went to work full time as a laborer for farmers and sacked groceries at Council Oak in Luverne to help support the family. On Oct 15, 1944, Gordy was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the 2nd Indian Head Division Infantry. Upon his honorable discharge on Sept 30, 1946 he returned home to Luverne. He was up for an adventure so he went with friends to California and worked at Northrup Aircraft. Upon returning home he went to work for Rolph’s Construction pouring cement. After he married Gloria Siemer on August 9, 1952 in Ellsworth Minnesota, he returned to work for Council Oak in the grocery department. They started farming North of Kanaranzi in 1953 and moved into Kanaranzi in 1960 on a small acreage in the Northwest corner where they retired on March 18, 1991. They moved to the Camelot Condo’s in May 2009.

On Saturday, November 26, 2011, Gordy died peacefully surrounded by his family at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 86 years and 16 days of lung cancer.

Gordy was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. He was a member of the Dell Hogan American Legion, Rock County VFW, and the Kanaranzi Lions Club. During his life, Gordy served as a 4-H leader, a board member of the Kanaranzi and Magnolia Schools, Kanaranzi Elevator, Farm Credit Services and Rock County Park Board. He enjoyed trap shooting, playing cards, snowmobiling, horse back riding, bowling, crafting bird houses, fishing and boating. He loved to farm, watch the crops grow, and take family vacations for one week every year. Most of all he enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; spending time with them and watching them grow.

Gordy is lovingly remembered by his wife, Gloria; two children, Pamela and her husband Daniel Kopp of Luverne, and John and his wife Leisa Aanenson of Luverne; nine grandchildren, Kara Jo (Perry) Schneekloth, Candice (Anthony) Mann, Tony (Molly) Kopp, Natalie (T.J.) Barthman, Chelsie Aanenson, Isaac Aanenson, Elliot Aanenson, Nicholas Kunstle, and Michael (Erin) Kunstle; ten great-grandchildren; Blake Schneekloth, Emma Schneekloth, Grace Schneekloth, Olivia Schneekloth, Jocelynn Mann, Addyson Mann, Nicholas Mann, Brett Barthman, Lawson Barthman, and Breyson Barthman; two sisters, Ramona Skidmore of Spooner, Wisconsin, and Joanne (Gary) Barmore of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; three brother-in-laws, Doug Zimmerman of Plymouth, Minnesota, Bill Powell of Fairfax, Virginia, and Dennis (Vivian) Siemer of Mankato, Minnesota; two sister-in-laws, Lavenelle Aanenson of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Marge Hoffman of Mankato, Minnesota; and many nieces, nephews and other family. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jacqueline; parents, Ole and Otellia Aanenson; and ten siblings, Thelma Bonnett, Alfie Brandenburg, Olga Brandenburg, Alma Ellsworth, Orville Aanenson, Norman Aanenson, Norma Zimmerman, Howard Aanenson, Opal Aanenson, Orla Powell.