Robert J. Andersen

Robert James Andersen was born August 9, 1950 to Viggo and Cecilia (Kelley) Andersen in Tyler, Minnesota. He grew up on the farm near Tyler and was baptized and confirmed at St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton, Minnesota. Bob’s father died when he was 14. Bob began farming at a young age to care for his mother. He graduated from Tyler High School in 1968 and attended vo-tech at Jackson, Minnesota. Bob was united in marriage to Patty Larsen on June 28, 1980 at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. Their union was blessed with four children—Krista, Keith, Wendy, and Kevin—and 37 years of life together. They made their home and raised their family on their farm near Tyler. Bob loved his life of farming, especially working with cattle. He retired in the fall of 2016. In July of 2017 the couple moved to Brookings, South Dakota. Bob struggled with depression and anxiety the last few years. He remained positive and did his best to work through it. He died at his home on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the age of 67.

Bob was a member of Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler, and active on the Folk School Committee and Danebod Village Board, property projects, and ushering. In the community he served on the board of Community Wind North, and for many years on the Tyler Lumber Company Board. He was a member of the Tyler Lions. He loved theater and had performed at the Lake Benton Opera House and was a supporter of South Dakota State University Theater. He also loved sports, both professional and youth, occasionally coaching youth sports. He liked playing Yahtzee with Krista, reading, history, conversation with people, and dessert at mealtime. Bob was always helping others. Taking care of his family was important to him and he enjoyed his time spent with them. Bob had a very kind heart. He was deeply loved by all who knew him well and will be dearly missed.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife, Patty of Brookings; his children, Krista Andersen of Madelia, MN, Keith Andersen of Brookings, SD, Wendy Andersen (fianc Kyle Mamer) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Kevin (Samantha Nalley) Andersen of Brookings, SD; a grandson, Maddox Andersen; his sisters, Mary (David) Kult of Little Falls, MN, and Kathleen (Jerry) Brastad of Burnsville, MN; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Viggo and Cecilia.

Blessed be his memory.