Anderson, Senator Donald "Don" Arthur age 88, Nisswa, MN., Sun City, AZ. died Friday August 12, 2022 at Northern Lakes assisted living in Baxter, MN. Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa, MN. Visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery NE Minneapolis, MN at a later date. Don was born to Paul and Freida (Kobs) Anderson on May 1, 1934 in Minneapolis, MN. Upon graduating from Edison H.S. he went to the U of M receiving his Associate of Arts degree. He was then drafted into the Army where he learned he was going to be deployed over to Germany, so on leave, came home and married Violet Nehrman, June 4, 1955. They lived in Kitzigen, Germany for 17 months and their first son Gregory Paul was born. Returning to the states, Don attended Augsburg College and worked several jobs. Four years later, plus three sons, Gregory, Mark and Blaine, he graduated with a BA in business and history. He was a "doer" and a joiner. He started the business club at Augsburg and belonged to the male chorus. He worked 6 years for the Red Owl grocery chain in Mpls. In 1965 he bought a Red Owl franchise store in Wadena, MN. Over the 22 years of his ownership, customers loved his charm and wit. The store became locally known as "Don's Friendly Red Owl." Don gave back to the community in many ways. Serving on numerous boards: Chamber of Commerce; Lions; Outstanding President of the Jaycees for the District; helped found the Big Brother, Big Sister program; Foster parent; Commander of Civil Air Patrol; numerous positions in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena; Charter member of the Wadena Elks; Zuhrah Shrine Temple; Wadena Housing Authority; Wadena Pilots Association; Pilot; Ducks Unlimited; Nisswa American Legion; Chairman of the Midwest Food Retailers; recognized as "Outstanding Grocer of The Year;" and a distinguished alumni award recipient from Augsburg College. He is a retired two-term MN. State Senator serving from 1982-1990. Before his retirement in 1995, he also served as assistant to the Commissioner of Transportation; as a Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Arne Carlson; and in the Dept. of Transportation, Aeronautics. Don and his wife have wintered in Sun City, AZ. for the past 26 years where he continued his service to others. He was a spiritual man. He read his bible daily and was an active member of the American Lutheran Church, serving two years as President, sang in the choir, usher, member of the "Helping Hands;" active in the Men's Club, Cursillo and the Wed. Nite Alive Task Force. He worked with Habitat for Humanity: Sun City "Prides" (a community of volunteers who clean the town), President of the Scandinavian Club. He was a man with many stories based on faith, family, and service. Don was a caring man with a giving spirit. Even in his passing, Don has chosen to help others by participating in the University of Minnesota Medical School's Anatomy Bequest Program. Survivors include his wife, Violet of Nisswa: children, Gregory (Nancy) Anderson of Wadena, MN; Mark (Barbara) Anderson of Lakeshore, MN.; Blaine (Tammy) of La Grange, KY.; 12 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by both parents; brother LeRoy, sister-in-law Mary, brother Norman, sister Lois, brother-law Roger. Don's wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to: The American Lutheran Church in Sun City, AZ, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa, MN. or the Salvation Army, Brainerd, MN.

Published on August 21, 2022