Loren Virgil Anderson, age 79, of Fairfax, Minnesota, passed away Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Seasons, Redwood Area Hospice, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota.
Funeral Service will be Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Fairfax, MN, with Pastor Vicki Toutges officiating. Interment in the Swedlanda Lutheran Cemetery in Palmyra Township, Renville County, MN.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at church. Arrangements are with the Hauser-Hantge Funeral Chapel of Fairfax, Minnesota.
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Loren Virgil Anderson was born on April 25, 1933, in Franklin, MN. He was the son of Andrew and Ruth (Peterson) Anderson. Loren was baptized as an infant on June 13, 1933, by Reverend Ernest Palm, at Swedlanda Lutheran Church in Palmyra Township, MN, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on September 1, 1946, by Reverend Thomas Hanson at Central Lutheran Church in rural Fairfax. He received his education through the eighth grade at a Country School near rural Hector. He went to Franklin High School his freshman year and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1951.
On March 6, 1953, Loren was united in marriage to Lila Kiecker, at Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wellington Township, MN. This marriage was blessed with six children, Randy, Deb, James, Jeff, Lori and Lisa. Loren and Lila resided in Fairfax, their entire married life. They shared 59 years of marriage.
Loren was employed as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator. Loren worked for many different contractors and businesses. He started out working with his father doing carpentry, he then took jobs hauling gravel in the summer and working for Swift and Co. in South St. Paul as a meat cutter during winter months. Over the years Loren worked for Orville Grunke, Schugel Trucking, Dunnick Brothers and drove for the South Central Co-op for 20 plus years He retired in January of 1999. Retirement just meant that Loren could be his own boss; he still drove for his son Jeff Anderson and never lost his work ethic. Loren was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Fairfax; he was on the church board and served as treasurer. He was also a member of City Council and was on the Fairfax Police Commission.
Loren enjoyed his equipment and trucks most of all. He was not one to let his semi get dirty or go un-serviced. He took the same pride in the condition of his lawn and landscape. He was out working on trimming grass only a couple weeks prior to his passing. He will be remembered as a hardworking man that was not afraid to speak his mind and always had a treat around for the grandchildren. He cherished spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.
Loren passed away Friday, July 6, 2012, at the Seasons, Redwood Area Hospice, in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, at the age of 79 years. He only spent a single night at the hospice. He was able to do so because of the unrelenting sprit of Lila to care for Loren at their home throughout his struggle with cancer. Blessed be his memory.
Loren is survived by his wife, Lila Anderson of Fairfax, MN; children, Randy Kay Hooge and her husband, Duane of Windom, MN, Deb Grosam and her husband, Larry of Fairfax, MN, James Loren Anderson and his special friend, Tammy of Prior Lake, MN, Jeff Anderson and his wife, Joy of New Ulm, MN, Lori Kiecker and her husband, Scott of Fairfax, MN, Lisa Kiecker and her husband, Stephen of Hector, MN; grandchildren, Matthew Robinson and his wife, Amanda, Jaclyn Ferrier and her husband, Aaron, Jennifer Robinson and friend, Randy, Jessica Heitkamp and her husband, Dustin, Sara Skornicka and her husband, Chris, Naomi Freyholtz and her husband, Brad, Andrew Grosam and friend Katie, Jaime Case and her husband, David, Jesse James Anderson, Brandon Anderson, Travis Anderson, Derek Anderson, Michael Kiecker and his wife, Shawna, Keith Kiecker, Lindsey Kiecker, Brittany Kiecker, Megan Kiecker, Mitchel Kiecker, Tim-Niklas Henning; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Kody and Tyler Robinson, Kennedy Ferrier, Aiden Heitkamp, Kyle and Riley Skornicka, Austin Grosam, Nikita and Hunter Case, Dylan, Sidney and Macy Freyholtz, Braxton, Carson and Cohen Kiecker; brother, Dennis Anderson of Gaylord, MN; brothers-in-law, Elgar Kiecker and his wife, Arlene of Franklin, MN, Marlin Kiecker and his wife, Elaine of Fairfax, MN; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Loren is preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Ruth Anderson; sister, Ferne Jensen and her husband, Jack; sister-in-law, Janet Anderson.