Erling Anderson

Erling Anderson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on June 27th, 2018 at the age of 91.

There will be a visitation with Erling’s family from 5-7pm on Thursday, July 5th at Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield, with a prayer service and a time for sharing beginning at 6:30pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services on Friday. A Celebration of Erling’s life will be held at 2pm, on Friday, July 6th at Augustana Lutheran Church, 921 11th Avenue Clarkfield, MN 56223.

A native of Clarkfield, MN, he was born January 29, 1927 to Gilbert and Mathilda Anderson. He graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1945. After attending South Dakota State University returned home to work on his father’s farm. In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and spent two years at Fort Chaffey in Arkansas. After being honorably discharged from the service he returned home and began farming, his lifelong work.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Norma (Stina) (née Johnson); daughter, Sandra Ellingson (Dennis Ellingson); grandchildren: Josselyn Gulbrandson (Jason Gulbrandson) and Chad Ellingson (Mandy Ellingson); and three great-grandchildren: Stina & Cadence Gulbrandson and Daniel Ellingson. He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Anderson.

Erling was as generous and as hardworking as the day is long and was steadfastly devoted to his family. He was also the funniest guy in Clarkfield, maybe in all of Minnesota. At the drop of a hat Erling would whip out a trick or a good old Ole & Lena joke, hardly containing his giddiness, as anyone could tell by his twitching smile. He loved to golf, and was thrilled the day he was finally able to shoot under his age. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his friends and treasured the cabin he owned for 42 years on Lake Minnewaska, where to this day he holds the record for the biggest largemouth bass ever caught.

In his retirement from farming Erling spent many winters going south to Texas and Arizona, but never stopped calling Clarkfield his home. He was also active in the legion and regularly volunteered at the Clarkfield Care Center where he spent his final days.

Memorial donations in memory of Erling can be mailed to: One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417, Attn: Fisher House. 

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