Clifford Anderson

Clifford Arthur Anderson, age 96, of Alexandria and formerly of Willmar, died Monday, August 28, 2017, at Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria.

Funeral services are 3 p.m., Sunday, September 3, 2017, at Knute Nelson Care Center Chapel in Alexandria with Rev. Dennis Hier officiating. Burial is at 5:30 p.m., at the Union Cemetery in Atwater. Military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard and Willmar American Legion Post #167.

Visitation is one hour prior to the service at the Chapel at Knute Nelson.

Clifford was born November 26, 1920, to Arthur G. Anderson and Cora C. Anderson (Peterson) in Atwater, Minn. He graduated from Atwater High School in 1939, and went on to attend college at Hamline University and the University of Minnesota. He graduated from Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in early 1942, after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He proudly served in the South Pacific on PT Boat 221 and saw action in the Philippines, the Aleutian Islands, and many other areas in the Pacific Theater.

While back home on leave in 1944, he met his future wife Yvonne (Bonnie) Fischer, whose father worked with Clifford in the Twin Cities. He was always promised by Bonnie's father, Fred, a chicken dinner anytime he was home. From that time on, Clifford and Bonnie would start dating and would be married on December 22, 1948, in Minneapolis.

Clifford worked for the Minnesota State Highway Department as a soils technician/engineer and helped design highways across Minnesota. He earned many accommodations for his work on saving the state money through his recommendations.

Clifford was an active member for many years at the United Methodist Church in Willmar, and was involved in the Kandiyohi County Sherriff’s Posse, the Civil Air Patrol, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Faith, family and country were very important to Clifford. He was a lover of liberty and worked hard in his retirement years to give to causes that were important to him to save the ideals that he cherished. He loved sharing his stories of World War II and the importance of being vigilant and guarding against tyranny.

Clifford is survived by his wife of 68 years, Bonnie; six children, Linda (Dave) Deierling of Ramsey, Bradley (Jan) Anderson of Brooten, David (Carol) Anderson of Wayzata, Debbie (Tony) Grimes of Fergus Falls, Catherine (Curt) Anderson-Barnes of Elbow Lake, and Mark (Tracey) Anderson of Alexandria; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.

He was proceeded in death by his parents; three siblings, Wendell Anderson of Indianapolis, Ind., Cora Leone Hoigaard of Minneapolis, and Ardith Eakley of Morristown, NJ; one granddaughter; and one grandson.

Pallbearers are Jesse Anderson, Alexander Barnes, Andy Grimes, Brandon Merritt, Charlie Riley, and Mike Strand. Honorary pallbearers are Ben Meisenheimer, Zachary Rolffs, and Barry Beecroft.

Memorials preferred to the Honor Flight Network.