Wayne Kent Anderson

Wayne K. Anderson, 61, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Arthur, ND, died Tuesday, January 8, 2014, in Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo.

Wayne Kent Anderson was born in Fargo on January 7, 1953, to Arvid and Janet Anderson, when the family lived at Hillsboro, ND. In March, 1953, his family moved to a farm at Arthur, ND, where he lived for 44 years. Wayne was born with Down's syndrome, and he enjoyed farm life and learning to drive tractors and trucks. With his three-wheeler, he cleaned the ditches along Highway #18 by the farm and his summer job was mowing grass on the farmstead with his IH Cub tractor.

Wayne attended Harbor School in Moorhead, a school for developmentally disabled people. He always had two wonderful, caring teachers, and enjoyed the many young students from all the FM colleges who came to teach speech therapy. His years at Harbor School included weekly bowling trips to Sunset Lanes and participating in the Special Olympics, which was a happy time with hopes of winning a medal! Summer camps were also special to Wayne, including the ARC Camp at Wesley Acres, Valley City, ND, and Red Willow and Park River Bible Camps. He always had a question for Mom when going to camp, "Do you think I can be a counselor this year?" Mom would tell him to be the best counselor's helper he could!

Wayne also knew sadness, as his Dad passed away in February, 1996 and his cousin, Pat Lawson, and his best friend, Bob Lewis, passed away in February, 2010.

In 1997, Wayne and his mom moved to Fargo to try apartment living. They enjoyed going to movies and plays and eating out at his favorite restaurants; the Holiday Inn; the Fryin' Pan; the Speak Easy, for his favorite "spaghetti and meatballs;" and the Chinese Shang Hai, where Ming prepared his buffet with a hug. Years passed watching TV and listening to music CD's. Country music was Wayne's favorite, as were many trips to Branson, MO, to enjoy the musicals.

A summer treat for Wayne was sunfishing trips with his sis, Glenna, and husband Larry, where he got to drive the pontoon boat. Wayne also knew the thrill of many motorcycle rides with Don and Bob Lewis and the Lewis family. Happy Trails bus trips were always looked forward to with Aunt Ardis of Coleraine, MN. Wayne was the photographer, camera case around his neck, always ready to go. The trip to NY City stands out, and the family treasures his photo of the city from the observation deck of the Empire State Building showing the "yellow cabs."

Wayne had a wonderful life, and even though the family knew that Down's dementia can begin in the early 50's, Wayne lived until age 59 before his dementia became prevalent. Starting in June, 2012, he attended adult day care at Villa Maria, with dear Jodee in charge, and in October, 2012, he became a resident and received excellent care. In August, 2013, Hospice began helping with his care and continued to do so until his death.

Wayne is survived by his mother, Janet Anderson, Fargo; sister, Glenna (Larry) Hodgson, New York Mills, MN; niece, Angela (Matthew Rutten) Hodgson, Fargo; nephew Eric (Rachael) Hodgson, Anchorage, AK; great nieces and nephews, Haylee (Cory) Crabb, Bethesda, MD, Joley and Jayden Hodgson, Anchorage, AK, Lucas and Sonja Rutten, Fargo; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Wayne was preceded in death by his father, Arvid; infant brother, Dennis; cousin, Pat Lawson; uncle and aunt, Kenneth and Margaret Anderson; uncles, Tilman Anderson and Chester Gabrielson; and grandparents, Andrew and Christine Anderson, and Stan and Morva Ziegler.

A Memorial Service will be held for family and friends to remember dear Wayne on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 2:00 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Please direct memorials in memory of Wayne to Villa Maria Nursing Home, Fargo; the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Arthur, ND; your favorite nursing home; or to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Our thanks to Hospice pastor, Nathan Richman, for his many visits. We wish to thank all of the wonderful caregivers at Villa Maria; they are very special people. Wayne was always treated with love, kindness and compassion.