Anderson, Samuel Fredrick

The journey began in Red Wing on the first of June in 1938 when Dr. Leonard and Gladys Anderson gave birth to their second son, Samuel Fredrick. An energetic boy who wanted his independence so he begged his parents to leave home at 14 and attend boarding school at Pillsbury Military Academy in Owatonna graduating in 1956 which is where his love for all things military began. After returning home to Red Wing he and a buddy were cruising the streets of Red Wing on a cold winter day when they spotted two young pretty nursing students walking home. Offering them a ride the girls jumped in and the romance began. Always the salesman, he was able to convince Barbara Rygh to spend her life with him and they married on a hot August day in 1959. Their first son, Daniel Lee, arrived in February of 1961 and their second son, Samuel Scott was born in January of 1964. After moves from Minneapolis, to Bloomington and Owatonna, they settled in the brand new city of Apple Valley in 1969. Life was full of coaching sports teams, attending plays, and the annual trek to Lake Buchannan in Ottertail for two weeks every summer. Many of our favorite memories came from these vacations up North. For many years his aunts, uncles and cousins filled the entire resort where fishing, swimming, potlucks and 24 hour bonfires filled those blessed days. A lover of all things sports he was a season ticket holder to Gopher Football for many years.

The kids grew, went to college and met their own spouses. Dan married Denise Hesselroth in 1987 and made Sam and Barb grandparents for the first time with the birth of the amazing Emily in 1990. Scott married Lori Campbell in 1992 and a few months later Dan and Denise had their second beautiful daughter, Margaret. Their two granddaughters were the apple of his eye. He loved going to any performance of his granddaughters. Retirement brought year-round golf with winters in Arizona. He could recall each round, and where every shot landed on every hole of virtually every round he played.

In 2001 his heart was broken when his first-born son, Dan, died of cancer and things were never quite the same. The angst of 14 years without Paul Bunyan’s Axe was finally turned to rejoicing when it returned to the U of M last fall. The last few years of his journey were challenging with various health issues that slowly ate away at his ability to do the things he loved. By his side right to the end was that same cute nurse he gave a ride to over 60 years before.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 5th at Grace Lutheran Church, 7800 150th Street West in Apple Valley at 11am with visitation for one hour before. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Wells Minnesota at 3pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to Community Meals served at Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley.