Ralph Lester Anderson

Ralph Lester Anderson, age 77, of Dassel, died Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Lakeside Generations in Dassel. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel with Pastor Darrin Olson officiating the service. The interment will be held at the Lake Arvilla Cemetery in rural Dassel. There will be a time to gather with the family one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel. The Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel is in charge of the funeral service arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to be given to the Paul F. Dille American Legion Post in Dassel. Ralph Lester Anderson the son of Hugo and Anna Lucille (Schreiner) Anderson, was born on October 16, 1946, in Litchfield, Minnesota. Ralph grew up in the Dassel area and graduated from Dassel High School in 1965. Ralph was a lifetime faithful member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel where he had served on the Property and Maintenance Ministry. On June 24, 1965, Ralph was inducted into the United States Air Force and served his country until August 3, 1969, when he was discharged from service. Ralph was proud of his service and was an active member of the Paul F. Dille American Legion Post as a member of the memorial rifle squad honoring other veterans upon their death. On April 16, 1994, Ralph was united in marriage to Karee Cullen at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Dassel. Together they made their home on Long Lake. When they were not cruising on the lake, they were traveling the world. He was a loving husband who often said to her, “Aren’t we lucky, Dear”. Ralph was a proud and loving father to Troy and Monica and a nurturing grandfather who loved his grandchildren with his whole heart. He was a loyal brother, uncle, and friend. He was a patriotic and resolute citizen of his country and community. Ralph was always willing to lend a hand and share his time, talent, and treasures with family, friends and anyone who was in need. He was a talented wood worker and could always be found in his shop making projects for family and friends or just engineering a DIY project. Ralph was an associate at Goebel Fixture Company in Hutchinson for decades before retiring in 2011. Soon after he retired, he joined the Custodian/Maintenance team at the Lakeside Health Care Center in Dassel for ten years. Christmas was his favorite holiday and Summer was his favorite season of the year; being on the lake, hosting the yearly 4th of July Anderson celebration, playing golf, biking, and running “the more humid the better the run”. He had run the Red Rooster 5K since the inauguration run and had run Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth numerous times. His running career encompassed 30 years and 19,505 miles. He was an active and dedicated pickle ball player. He loved working on puzzles and was an avid card player - he was a member of the Euchre Card Club and the 500 Club. But most of all he will be remembered for his kindness, caring smile, and who cared for the community and everyone in his life. He will be missed by everyone who loved him or just had the distinct honor of knowing him. His legacy will live on forever. He is survived by his wife, Karee Anderson of Dassel, children, Troy (Lisa) Anderson of Dassel, Monica (Rob Cygan) Ankrum of Dassel, Step-children, Nicole (Kevin) Broe of Norfolk, Virginia, Scott (Sarah) Elwood of Isle, four grandchildren, Samantha Anderson, Makenna (fiancé, Ethan Latt) Ankrum, Hunter Anderson, and Morgan Ankrum, three step-grandchildren, Coleton (Taylor) Elwood, Saylor Elwood, and Teddy Broe, and one step great grandchild, Montgomery Elwood, siblings, Emily Mackie of San Leandro, California, Faye Shanholtzer of Bakersfield, California, Howard Anderson of Fort Meyers, Florida, Orville (Jane) Anderson of Dassel, Percy (Mary) Anderson of Hutchinson, and Linda (Steve) Madson of Show Low, Arizona, in addition to several nieces, nephews and numerous friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Anna Lucille Anderson, siblings, Irma Peterson, Lois Paradise, Goldie Omdahl, Melvin Anderson, Marvin Anderson, and Gilbert Anderson.

Ralph Lester Anderson

October 16, 1946 - December 22, 2023