Roland Anderson, 88

Roland “Aldon” L. Anderson, 88, Alexandria, died November 21, 2009 at his home in Garfield.

Aldon was born October 15, 1921 in LaGrand Township, Douglas County to Clifford and Minnie (Middleton) Anderson. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Aldon attended District 88 and graduated from Central High School in 1939.

In the summer of 1942, Aldon enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed on a Patrol Cruiser 1127 near Solomon Islands as a gunners mate during WWII. After the war, he resumed his job at Ollie’s Service and enrolled in farm school in Alexandria. On September 30, 1951, Aldon married Arlene Marguerite Whiting at Svea Lutheran Church in Alexandria.

They bought their farm near Garfield in the fall of 1953. Aldon and Arlene milked cows and farmed the first few years. In 1958, he started as a relief milk truck driver for Dutch Girl, which later became Cass Clay in Alexandria. He loved his job. He would deliver milk and milk products to surrounding towns such as Sauk Centre, Long Prairie, Parkers Prairie, Ashby, Glenwood and all communities in between. He delivered to restaurants, groceries stores, hospitals, schools and residential homes. He most enjoyed talking to everyone on his routes. He retired in 1993.

From his job he developed a love for driving around the countryside, reminiscing of all the places he had been, all the people he had met. He was a kind man, with a wonderful loving heart, he will be missed by everyone who ever knew him.

Roland also enjoyed his sports. He avidly watched and listened to the Twins and Vikings. He knew statistics on each of the teams and their players up until his last days. Aldon also loved deer hunting. He never missed a season until this year. The night before he passed he told Kendon not to pick him up too early to go hunting because he didn’t care for the cold mornings.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Arlene; four children, Kendon (Julie) Anderson, Kevin (Betty) Anderson, Susan (Bob) Ruhr, Tenley (Rick) Dvorak; sisters, Delores Kvilhaug and LaVonne Peterson; brother, Robert Anderson; 10 grandchildren, Lindsey, Trenten, and Tyler Anderson, Jordan and Kate Anderson, Brandon (Meghan) and Brittany Ruhr, Paige, Jackson and Troy Dvorak; two stepgrandchildren, Stacy (Troy) Schwartz, Kelly (Travis) Branscome; and three stepgreat-grandchildren, Sydney, Carson, and Madison Schwartz.

Aldon was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Russell and Clinton.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 25 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Pastor Dale Olson officiating. Becky Worley was the organist and Ralph Tillitt was soloist. Interment was at Kinkead Cemetery with Lindsey, Trenten and Tyler Anderson, Jordan and Kate Anderson, Brandon and Brittany Ruhr, and Dale Anderson as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Paige, Jackson and Troy Dvorak. The American Legion Post 87 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 accorded military honors.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

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Tags: roland anderson, anderson funeral home, obituaries, anderson, alexandria, garfield

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