Cynthia Marlene Anderson

Cynthia M. "Cindy" Anderson, age 66 of Hugo, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2019, surrounded by loving family and friends, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.

Cindy was born June 20, 1953 to Melvin and Evelyn (Reese) Anderson at Marshall, MN.  She grew up on the farm in southwestern Minnesota, attended school at Clarkfield, MN and graduated from Willmar High School, Willmar, MN.  She graduated from St. Cloud State College in 1975 with a degree in accounting.  Her first professional job was at St. Paul Companies.  Over the years she held various jobs in investment accounting.  When the St. Paul Companies became part of the Traveler's Insurance group, she continued advancing in her career there.  Her last position was Director of Statutory Investment Reporting.  She was the final person to review and sign off on investment tax documents filed with the federal government.

Throughout her life, she was passionate about horses.  Even at a very young age she was asking for a horse of her own.  Persistence finally won out and she received Boots, who one day surprised everyone with a new little colt.  When Cindy came home from school and found the small colt in the pasture, she was in heaven and named him Skipper.   

Cindy bought her first ½ Arab horse in college and learned to ride English style.  She showed in horse shows across Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin and collected many ribbons and trophies.  Cindy's dream was to have a horse she bred and raised from birth.  Her ‘baby’ Sera is now 12 years old.   When Cindy could no longer ride, she judged local English ½ Arab shows and scribed for national judges as they judged the larger shows including in Lexington, Kentucky.  Through her horse and riding career, she mentored many young riders.  The horse community became her family.

In 2007, she had heart surgery which limited her activities.  She prioritized her energies and continued to work a demanding job that she loved and continued to be a part of the horse community in ways that she still could, always hoping her health would improve.  She was always a ‘farmer’s daughter’.  You can take the girl out of the country, but never the country out of the girl.

Cindy is survived by her sister, Shirley Frashier and her husband Grant; cousins, Al Reese, Ardith Andersen, Joe Reese, Dennis Wahl, Sharon Fitzpatrick, Doug Wahl, Kristi Palmer, Karen Andersen, Jackie Clark, Nick Reese, Mark Reese, Norma Kettner, Evelyn Kopitzke, Donald Kopitzke, and their families.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2019 at Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, 13817 Jay Street NW, Andover.  Visitation one hour prior to the service (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.)  Interment will take place in Swede Home Lutheran Church Cemetery, Clarkfield, MN.

Arrangements entrusted to Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home of Andover (763) 767-7373

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cynthia Marlene Anderson, please visit our floral store.