Albert W. "Al" Anderson

Albert W. "Al" Anderson, age 97, of Moorhead, MN, died Dec. 23, 2006 at Eventide Lutheran Home in Moorhead.
Al was born Feb. 25, 1909 in Fargo, ND, to Gust and Mary (Anderson) Anderson. He grew up and attended school in the Detroit Lakes, MN area and later moved to Minneapolis. He then moved to Scandia, MN, where he farmed, later returning to Detroit Lakes.
Al sold Wear-Ever Cookware in Norman County. He hired Minnie Rockstad to assist him in his cookware demonstrations and they later married on Dec. 24, 1935 in Perley, MN. He continued his career with Wear-Ever in Wheaton, MN and Milbank, SD for eight and a half years. He then worked for Mundwiler's Furniture Store and Funeral Home in Milbank. In 1943, they moved to Fargo, ND, where he worked a short time at Sears. Soon after, they moved to Moorhead, and Al began a 32 year career at Leo Johnson's Furniture Store, starting as a salesman and later as store manager. Upon retirement, he worked at Dayton's Department Store for five years.

Al was known throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area for his volunteer efforts. He was very active with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), spending numerous hours volunteering for the Salvation Army Thrift Store, specializing in his later years in greeting cards, which he would sort by category and sell from his apartment at Eventide Catered Living. He sold over 7,000 cards during the years that he was 94 and 95 years old.

Al and Minnie were active members of Concordia's C-400, Executive Club, and Bethesda Lutheran Church, where he was Sunday School Treasurer for twenty five years and held numerous other positions in the church. Minnie died in 1998. He moved into Eventide Lutheran Home in November of 2004.
Al is survived by a daughter, Marilyn (David) Kerssen, Moorhead; three grandchildren, Jeff (Emily) Kerssen-Griep, Vancouver, WA, Jane (Greg) Hannestad, Sioux Falls, SD, and Julie Kerssen, Seattle, WA; four great-grandchildren, Victoria, Samuel, Katie, and Carly; and a brother, Ray (Marian) Anderson, Detroit Lakes.
Al was a wonderful person who actively cared about people through his generosity with both money and time. His presence and quick wit will be missed - the world is a better place because he was here.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Salvation Army.
Visitation: One hour prior to the funeral, at the church.
Funeral service: Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, at 10 AM, in Bethesda Lutheran Church, Moorhead.

Burial: Evergreen Memorial Cemetery, Moorhead.