Don was born August 6, 1943 in Victory Hospital in Robbinsdale (now North Memorial) at 9:02 p.m. and died on February 24, 2022 at 10:45 a.m. He was preceded in death by parents Eric and Rose (Carlson) Anderson, sister Ruth Anderson Peterson and grandson Antonio Eric Lewis. He is survived by wife Carolyn Fernstrom Anderson, daughters Kirsten Ludtke (Jon), Michele Clarke (Mark) and Julie Anderson; grandchildren: April, Leslie, Hannah Ludtke, Brandon and Mikayla Clarke and sister Helen Robertson and family.
Don worked for the US Postal service for 43 years. When we wanted to buy a house he also worked another full-time and part-time job. He was active in the St. Louis Park Lions Club. a bowling league, fishing in Canada with friends, enjoyed ballroom dancing and travel etc with GAFIA friends. He loved being at the cabin on Crow Wing Lake and visiting with friends and neighbors. Rides on the pontoon were a favorite.
Some of the best memories were trips with our girls to visit family in Sweden and Norway; a trip to Hawaii, camping at Itasca Park plus spring break trips to Panama City Beach Florida and a trip to Scotland & England to visit Julie, who was at school, and wonderful friends in Rochester and Tring outside London. Don loved our cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska and trips to Canada and a trip Mexico to visit an exchange student and family. Having exchange students was very enjoyable. He taught several girls how to drive a boat & car. He was a proud father & grandpa and tried to attend every event the girls & grandchildren were involved in. Sports, music, dogs, horses, goats, llama even rabbits and hedgehogs.
Don was battling scleroderma and heart disease for many years and was on oxygen 24/7 which was difficult for him but he tried to work in the yard with his riding mower, in the last six months there were two events that really made him happy. In September we went to visit Michele and Mark and had the surprise of our lives. They had Don's first car (a 1940 Ford sedan) restored. When he saw that he lit up like a teenager and had a great time driving it for the first time in 50+ years. The other event was the best Christmas at the lake with the entire family, which included a cribbage tournament.
Don was a loyal, reliable friend, son, father and husband who put his family first. He was truly loved and will be missed.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfuneralservices.com for the Anderson family.
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