Amos Anderson

Amos Richard Anderson, 91, formerly of Detroit Lakes, died Friday, March 19, 2010 with family at his side at his daughter's home in Woodbury, MN. Amos was born August 13, 1918 in Tansem Township, Clay County, Minnesota to Carl and Emma (Bondli) Anderson. He attended a rural school in Clay County and at age 16, left the family farm to work in Pelican Rapids at the Park Region Co-op Service Station. He spent most lunchtimes wooing Ella Davis, a waitress at the restaurant across the street from the station, and they married on November 16, 1941 at her family's farm in rural Vergas. Amos served as an Army Corporal during WWII, first as an instructor of first aid at Camp Robinson, Arkansas and then as an escort of wounded German POWs in Germany and France. After the war, Amos and Ella moved to Detroit Lakes and bought partial interest in City Service, where he hauled fuel for 1 cent per gallon. Seeing no future in that business at those rates, he bought half interest in the Ready Mix Concrete Company in 1950. He successfully operated Ready Mix for 22 years before beginning a long and productive retirement. After earning his real estate sales license, he dabbled in real estate as an investment and was also active in a 15 member investment club for many years. He always enjoyed managing a portfolio of stocks and mulling over new investment ideas. In 2003, Amos moved to Woodbury, MN to be close to his daughters, granddaughters, and granddogs. During his many years in Detroit Lakes, Amos volunteered in a variety of community organizations. He served on the Minnesota Veterans Home Board, Minnesota Ready Mix Concrete and Aggregate Board, the Detroit Lakes Public Utilities Board, and the First Lutheran Church Council. He was also past Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign War in Detroit Lakes, and was a member of First Lutheran Church, the Detroit Lakes Auxiliary Police, the Eagles, the Elks, and the Sons of Norway. In his spare time, Amos liked to fish, hunt, bowl, golf, play cards late into the night, putter around the house, shoot the breeze with numerous friends over coffee, and enjoy the wonders of nature; his favorite moments were spent with family and friends at "the cottage" on Lake Lida. Amos is survived by two daughters, Terryl Anderson and Sheila (Gene) Schroeder, and two granddaughters, Elin and Ami Schroeder, all of Woodbury, MN; numerous nieces and nephews. Amos was preceded in death by his wife, Ella (1994), his parents; four brothers, Peter, Conrad, Eddie, and Bernard; and a sister, Alice Kvamme.