Lawrence Anderson

Lawrence J. Anderson, 77, of Blackduck, died peacefully at his home on Friday, Feb. 4, 2005.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2005 at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Bemidji with the Rev. Lynn Orville and Rev. John Husband officiating. Inurnment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Blackduck.

Visitation will be held Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Senior Center in Blackduck where a prayer service and sharing time will begin at 7 p.m. and for one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday.

Urn bearer will be Keith Anderson, nephew of the deceased. Honorary bearers will be lifelong friends, Milton and Maxine Beck, Doug and Lois Cann, Ruth and the late John Larson, Ernie and Marion Club and Pat and Milo Larson.

Lawrence Jay Anderson was born July 25, 1927 in Blackduck, MN to Joseph and Meda (Randolph) Anderson. He attended and graduated from Blackduck High School. One of his favorite first jobs was driving a team of horses while working in North Dakota. Lawrence was employed by the Blackduck Creamery until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950, stationed at Fort Meyer, Virginia. He was honored to be assigned to the Third Infantry (The Old Guard) often proudly referred to as "The President's Own". This unit's duties include protecting the President, ceremonial military services duties at Arlington Cemetery, and guarding The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Lawrence remembered standing guard at Blair House, temporary housing for Harry Truman, following threats to Truman's life. After his discharge, Lawrence was employed by the J.W. Warfield Tile Company. He was united in marriage to Nina M. Diffley on Saturday, Oct. 22, 1955 at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Bemidji. Lawrence worked for Wolden's Chevrolet in Blackduck until his retirement from car sales. He and Nina have owned and operated the King Koin Launderette in Blackduck from 1973 to the present.

Lawrence was honored to serve as Mayor of Blackduck as well as councilmember for many years. His dedication to his hometown and community service was important to him.

He was a longtime member of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, involved through the years with many church activities including Cursillo and senior warden of the Bishop's Committee; Past Commander and member of the American Legion for 53 years; Past President and Director of Mississippi Headwaters Blood Bank; Blackduck Ambulance Association; Headwaters Regional Development Commission; Blackduck Development Corporation; volunteer fireman for the Blackduck Fire Department for over 20 years; an EMT for the Blackduck Ambulance when it first started; Lion's Club member and past president; member of The Forty & Eight for 35 years; participant in the Blandin Community Leadership Program and past president of the Blackduck Civic and Commerce Association.

Lawrence is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nina Anderson of Blackduck; five children, Steven (Kelly Fries) Anderson of St. Francis, Philip Anderson of Brownsville, TX, Joseph (Julie Muller) Anderson of Roseau, Mary (Craig Cameron) Anderson of Tenstrike, Sarah (Jon) Coltvet of Sauk Centre; sister, Betty (Wane) Shea of Blackduck; sister-in-law, Maxine Anderson of Blackduck; 7 grandchildren, Lukas and Reilly Anderson, Adrienne and Max Muller, Elliot and Clara Anderson-Cameron, Alex Arnold; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Meda; brother, Preston Anderson and 2 infant grandchildren.

Memorials are preferred to St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, 1800 Irvine Ave. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601 or "Food for the Poor, Inc.", a nonprofit agency helping to fight hunger in Latin American countries, an organization which Lawrence felt strongly about.