Gene Lyle Burton Anderson

Obituary

Gene Lyle Burton Anderson was born September 1, 1946, in New Ulm, Minnesota, the son of Eugene and Marian (Anderson) Anderson.  He was baptized on October 13, 1946 at Swedlanda Lutheran Church, and confirmed in his faith there on May 29, 1960.  Gene grew up on the family farm in Palmyra Township. He received his education in Hector, and graduated with the Class of 1964 from the Hector High School. 

Gene was united in marriage to Betty Hable on August 11, 1973, at the Swedlanda Lutheran Church in Palmyra Township.  Three children were born to them, Lisa, Danyel, and Justin.  Gene farmed all his life, and continued living on the family farm.  He also raised pheasants and turkeys.

Gene was a lifetime member of Swedlanda Lutheran Church.  He served on the Swedlanda Lutheran Cemetery Board.  He also volunteered his time helping the Hector American Legion Post 135.

From 1968 to 1972, Gene raced his 1965 Shelby Mustang.  He competed at raceways in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, and the Donnybrooke Raceway in Brainerd, now known as the Brainerd International Raceway.  One of Gene’s favorite tracks was Blackhawk Farms in Rockford, Illinois.  It was a tight course, and he went through many brake pads.  He liked taking the family on road trips, with destinations including parks, monuments, and river bottoms.  Gene was an amateur fireworks enthusiast.  He enjoyed the trips to South Dakota, and it didn’t have to be the 4^th of July to do a show.

Gene was a founding member of the PGA Pumpkin Growers Association.  They had yearly largest pumpkin contests, fish contests, and fun family picnics.  He enjoyed treasure hunts, antiques, and rarities.  He enjoyed having coffee with his friends.  Gene was Google / Wikipedia before we had internet.  He always would find answers.  They may not have always been correct, but “Hey, you get what you pay for.”

On December 16, 2014, Gene passed away at his home, having reached the age of 68 years.  Blessed be his memory.

Gene is survived by his:

Children:  Lisa Bernardy of Hector, Danyel Johnson and her special friend Pat Wittenberg of Hector, and Justin Anderson and his wife Sara of Hector;

Grandchildren:  Josh Bernardy and fiancé Jennie, Lance Bernardy and his wife Samantha, Brianna Johnson, Reece Wittenberg, Mia Wittenberg, Alex Anderson, and Ryan Anderson;

Great-grandchildren:  Max Grabow and Sam Grabow;

Brother Garry Anderson and his wife Helen of Chaska;

Sister Jolayne Choi and her husband Sin of Corpus Christi, TX;

Nieces and Nephews:  Nicole Anderson of Shakopee, Caralee (Dheeraj) Uttam of Alexandria, VA, Christopher (Erin) Choi of Dallas, TX, Jacqueline (Joe) Parker of San Antonio, TX, Katherine (Lee) Price of Houston, TX, Laura Choi of Houston, TX;

Former wife Betty Hable Johnson of Hector;

many other relatives, and friends.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Marian Anderson.