Lowell E. Anderson

Lowell Anderson, age 89, of rural Clara City, died Friday, October 8, 2021, at his home in Woods Township.  His funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 11, on what would have been his 90th birthday, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. Military honors will be immediately after the service. Interment with be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Louriston Township.   Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 10, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.  Memorials are preferred to Carris Health Rice Hospice, Immanuel Lutheran Church, or Louriston Cemetery Association.   Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

Lowell was born October 11, 1931, to Otto and Fern (Williamson) Anderson on the family farm in Louriston Township near Clara City, Minnesota.  He was baptized on December 6, 1931 and confirmed on December 17, 1944 at Zion Lutheran Church in Louriston Township.  He attended District 47 School and later Clara City High School, graduating in 1949.  He then attended the Morris Agriculture School, where he lettered in cross country.  In 1951, Lowell enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Korea.  He achieved the rank of sergeant and was discharged in 1954, having received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.  Following his discharge, Lowell began farming with his brother Harlow and in 1955 he purchased his own farm in Woods Township. 

In June 1956, Lowell married Barbara Dahl and they continued to live on the farm and had a combined dairy, chicken and grain farm.  In 1963, they moved into Clara City after Lowell was appointed Postmaster.  He served as Postmaster until his retirement in 1990 and in 1996 they moved back to their farm in Woods Township and enjoyed living the rural life.

Lowell was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and in the Clara City community, serving as president of the PTA, Clara City Civic and Commerce, Clara City Lions, and the Clara City Snowmobile Club.  He was also active in the National Association of Postmasters and the League of Postmasters and attended many state and national conventions.  He and Barb traveled with a group of Postmasters to China, Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries through the People to People Program.

In retirement, he was active in NARFE of Willmar, Prairie V Rides Program, Willmar Area Senior Citizens Club, Willmar Area AARP, Clara City Meal Site Council, Clara City American Legion, Farmers Union, Louriston Zion Cemetery Association and Fairview Cemetery Board in Willmar, and served as an election judge.  He was also active with Swedish Friends, Sons of Norway, Norwegian Log Church of Norway Lake, Valdres Samband, and Telemark Samband,

In his younger years, Lowell enjoyed playing softball, hunting, fishing, golfing, and riding snowmobile.  After retirement, he also enjoyed gardening, cooking, using the computer, and traveling, especially their trips to Sweden and Norway.  Lowell also learned chip carving, and received blue ribbons for several pieces entered in the Kandiyohi and Chippewa County Fairs, and at the Sons of Norway International Convention.

Lowell is survived by his wife: Barbara; three children: Lois (Bruce) Nelson of Willmar, Tim (Denise) Anderson of Motley, and Tom (Dawn) Anderson of Prinsburg; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren: Craig (Megan) Nelson and their daughter Abby Hjelle, Nicole Anderson (Duncan Henke) and his children Austin & Abby Henke, Travis Anderson, Russ Nelson, Shaun Bratsch, Nathan Bratsch and his children Nate & Brooklyn Bratsch and Sierra (Anthony) Bermudez,  Greg Bratsch and his children Jocelyn, Collin & Rylan Bratsch; and three great-great-grandchildren: Dalton, Ivory & Kalia Bermudez.  Also surviving is a sister Ardis (Kenneth) Newberg of Blomkest; sister-in-law: Rebecca Anderson of Tyler, TX; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Otto and Fern Anderson; two brothers: Harlow and Dean  Anderson; his brother-in-law: Dr. Gerard Dahl DVM; two sister-in-laws: Ione Anderson and Barb Dahl; a nephew: Daniel Anderson; and a niece: Bethany Dahl.

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