Norman Merlin Anderson

Norman Merlin Anderson was born in Princeton, Minnesota on May 22, 1929, to Andrew Anderson and Inez (George) Anderson.  Norman was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, rural Santiago.  He grew up helping on the farm and drove horses for fieldwork starting at a very young age.

After graduating from Princeton High School, Norman went with a friend to find work on farms in southwest Minnesota.  He heard that Conrad Mauland, a farmer near Cottonwood, needed a hired man – that is how he first met Beulah.

Draft notices were being sent out at that time and Norman decided to enlist in the Air Force.  After basic training he was stationed in Tampa, Florida.  While home on leave Norman married Beulah Mauland on January 10, 1953.  They returned to Tampa and a few days later Norman received orders to be transferred to Shemya in the Aleutian Islands.  He spent the next year there while Beulah stayed in Cottonwood.  Norman and Beulah then moved to Circleville, OH, where he completed his Air Force service.  He was also an active member of the Cottonwood American Legion.

Norman and Beulah returned to the family farm and Norman farmed or helped with the farming until last fall.  They raised five children and many different animals on the farm.  Norman called himself a “gentleman farmer” after all the animals were gone and he only raised grain.  He saw farming go from horse-drawn equipment to tractors with GPS so they almost drove themselves.   Norman also loved spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He gave a lot of tractor and combine rides.

Norman and Beulah enjoyed traveling the US and other parts of the world.  They spent 20 winters in Arizona.  In 2009 they moved from the farm to a home in Cottonwood.  Norman moved to Heritage Pointe in Marshall in December 2022.

Norman remained very active throughout his life.  He enjoyed golfing and was able to waterski until he was 78.  He loved to start a conversation with anyone that he met.  He collected and restored old tractors, driving them and his 1929 Model A in parades.  He also enjoyed collecting scale model tractors.

Norman is survived by his five children; Wesley Anderson, Tijeras, NM, Teresa (Robert) Hoff of Wood Lake, Dennis (Cindy) Anderson of Cottonwood, Loren Anderson of Cottonwood, and Lorinda (Randy) Holland of DeSmet, SD; six grandchildren;  Angela (Brian) Nyp, Kristen Gray, Ariana (Adam) Jungemann, Isaac (Kala) Anderson, Andrew Holland, and Lane Holland; thirteen great-grandchildren; Tyler, Sydney, Ryleigh, Wyatt, Pyper and Kylan Nyp, Aden, Gavin, Mason and Morgan Gray, Boden and Rowen Anderson, and Adler Jungemann; brothers Jordan (Violet) Anderson, Richard Anderson, and Arlen Anderson; brother-in-law Arnold Bongart; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah, his parents and sister, Marvel Bongart.

When he was no longer able to get into his tractors, his work here was done – he was ready to go to his beloved wife of almost 70 years.

Visitation for Norman and his family will be held on Friday, June 16th, from 5-7 PM at the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield, with a prayer service beginning at 7 PM. Visitation will continue Saturday, June 17th, at 10 AM at St. Lucas Lutheran Church, rural Cottonwood, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. Interment with military honors to follow in the church cemetery.  

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