Virgil Anderson, 76, of Hoffman, died Thursday, February 4, 2010, at the Douglas County Hospital, Alexandria.
Funeral services wereheld on Wednesday, February 10, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman with the the Rev. Steve Olson officiating. Burial was in the First Lutheran Cemetery, Kensington.
Virgil Loren Anderson entered his eternal home on February 4, 2010. He was born on October 19, 1933, to Harry and Edna (Loren) Anderson of rural Hoffman. He was baptized and confirmed at Norunga Lutheran Church in rural Lowry. At the age of five, the family moved north of Lowry and he attended country school, District 26. Four years later, the family moved south of Lowry, and he then attended Lowry school for grades fourth-eighth. In 1946, the family moved southwest of Farwell. Virgil attended school and graduated from Kensington High School in 1951. He then farmed with his father until he joined the Army. After basic training, he spent 15 months on the island of Guam operating heavy equipment while extending the runway at Andersen Air Force Base. In the fall of 1956, he attended the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture in St. Paul studying dairy management. He graduated in 1958.
On July 8, 1961, Virgil married Elizabeth (Stivers) Dahlgren from Minneapolis, and they lived on the home farm near Farwell. He legally adopted her son Loren in 1962. Three daughters, Lisa, Lynda and Louise, were born to this marriage.
The family was very active in dairy farming. Virgil was involved in the DHIA, MVBA, Farmers Union and many other farming committees. He was Dairyman of the Year of Pope County in 1974. The family was active in 4-H. For many years, his children showed his dairy animals at the State Fair (receiving blue ribbons).
For health reasons Virgil was forced to sell the farm, and they moved to Hoffman where he worked for Hoffman Aseptic and the Hoffman nursing home. He was also very active in the Senior Center where he liked to play pool. Virgil was active in the churches he belonged to, serving as Sunday school teacher, choir member, church council member and a delegate to Synod meetings. Hehad served on the Kensington School Board, president of the PTA, and attended all of his children’s school activities for 25 years.
The American Legion was very important to Virgil. He served as Kensington Commander for 15 years; he was 7th District Commander 1987-1988, Minnesota Department Vice Commander 1990-91, and 7th District Finance Officer for 15 years. Virgil was a 36-year member of the Kensington Legion Post.
Virgil loved and valued life and all the people around him. He was always ready with a smile and an encouraging word. Many were the subject of his good humored teasing.
He loved his Lord, and his favorite Bible verse was Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”
Virgil is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; children, Loren (Nancy) Anderson of Fairview, Texas, Lisa (Lyle) Hauck of Fergus Falls, Lynda Peterson of Princeton and Louise (Vincent) Torrie of Aurora, Colo.; sister, Gloria Anderson of Hayden, Idaho; and grandchildren, Barry (Miki) Anderson, Erin (Scott) Jacobs, Bethany, Michaela, Tyler and Emily Hauck, Corey and Jesse Peterson and Brandon, Vanessa and Bryson Torrie.
He was preceded in death by his parents.