Donald “Don” Anderson, age 83 of Starbuck, passed peacefully into eternity, August 13, 2021 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck with two of his daughters and Pastor Paul Johnson present. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17th at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood with Pastor Paul Johnson officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will be the following day, Wednesday, August 18th at 11:00 a.m.at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.
Donald Walter Anderson, the son of Jacob Walter and Elizabeth Faye (Cramer) Anderson was born at home in Wetzel County, West Virginia on June 6, 1938. Don joined the West Virginia National Guard and later transferred to the United States Army. He served at various locations including Fort Knox, Kentucky, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and Tokyo, Japan at the 8th Army headquarters during the Korean conflict. Don was honorably discharged on May 5, 1956.
On October 25, 1958 Don was united in marriage to LoVaida Laing. This marriage was blessed with seven children. In 1971, the family moved to Minnesota. Don worked at the Minneapolis post office, at foundries and as a custodian at offices. In 1981, Don was hit by a car and suffered serious head injuries. He spent the next two years in therapy learning to talk and walk. He left the long term care facility in 1983 and lived in Minneapolis until 2001 when he moved to Lowry to live with his daughter, Donna. In May 2018, Don needed more help with his daily care and became a resident of the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck.
Don loved music, singing and playing guitar. He enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, western movies, cribbage, yard work and helping his neighbors. Don lived a colorful and at times hard life. He loved his family, friends, and neighbors and would give his shirt off his back if you were in need. He will be missed.
Don is survived by his seven children: Betty Blackdeer of Black River Falls, WI, Donna (James) Holmes of Lowry, Donald (Amy) Anderson of Brodnex, VA, Steve Anderson, Marietta, MN, Mary Jo (Scott) Anderson of North Branch, MN, Debbie Anderson of Minneapolis, Julie (Roderick) Lindsey of Coon Rapids; former spouse and friend, LoVaida (Terry) Olson of Wheeler, WI; sister, Betty (Ronald) Barstow of St. Louis Park; 38 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ernest, Bill, John and Russel Anderson; sisters: Roxy, Wilma, Doris and Patty; son-in-law, Randall Blackdeer, daughter-in-law, Belinda Anderson and grandson, Jonathon Anderson.
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