Leroy Anderson

LeRoy Douglas Anderson of Mahtomedi was born September 8, 1932 and passed peacefully at The Gathering at Boutwells Landing in Stillwater on December 20, 2016 with his loving family by his side. He was preceded in death by parents, Wilfred and Ellen (Westrom), Anderson, and three infant brothers; Wesley, James and Norman; brothers-in-law James Bastian and Captain William E. Nordeen, USN.

LeRoy leaves to celebrate his memory his loving wife of 58 years, Carla; son Craig (Laura Roberts) Salem, OR and daughter Peggy Edwards (Michael Stone) Mahtomedi, MN; grandchildren, Michael and Lauren Anderson, and Olivia, Erik and Nicholas Edwards; sister Phyllis Bastian, White Bear Lake, MN; brother in law Michael Nordeen (Patricia) Melbourne, FL and Cohasset, MN; sister in law Trish Nordeen, Portsmouth, RI, and many nieces and nephews.

LeRoy was born at home in Balsam Lake Township, Wisconsin, and attended a country school, Maple Grove, for first and part of second grade before moving to Centuria, where his dad, a carpenter, had built his family a new home. He graduated from Centuria High School in 1950 where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He was given the nickname "Herb" at this time, and friends from that era still call him "Herb." He worked in St. Paul for a few months after graduation, but soon realized life on the assembly line was not for him. After the first of the year he joined the Navy, where he was nicknamed "Andy," and served four years during the Korean War. In the Navy he received real encouragement from his superiors to go on to school after discharge.

After his honorable discharge in 1955, LeRoy enrolled at UW-River Falls, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Elementary Education. Shortly thereafter, he earned his Master's Degree from the University of Minnesota. Thus began a 33 year teaching career at the Unity School District, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. One of the few male elementary school teachers in those days, LeRoy's steady and positive influence was felt by countless school children during his three-plus decades of devotion to elementary education. LeRoy finally retired from teaching in 1992.

LeRoy married Carla Jean, daughter of Carl and Edna Nordeen of Centuria in July, 1958. They were blessed with two precious children: Craig Douglas in 1961 and Peggy Lynn in 1964. Grandchildren were something extra special! He retired in 1992 just in time to welcome Olivia Lynn Edwards and Michael Benjamin Anderson, who were born that fall. Soon Lauren Victoria Anderson and Erik Paul Edwards arrived on the scene in March, 1995. Last, but not least, Nicholas John Edwards came to entertain and delight his grandpa in December, 1997. His grandchildren took the place of all the school children he had nurtured for 33 years.

After both LeRoy and Carla retired they had time to do some traveling which they both enjoyed. Solo or on tours they traveled the country from one end to the other and on to Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and one tour to Northern Europe and the Scandinavian countries until LeRoy's health issues intervened.

LeRoy loved working on his home and his yard. He worked hard to make it the showplace of the community. He was very involved in his church, Fristad Lutheran, and was an active member of the Unity Lions Club for 50 years. He was also involved in Village Council business and committees. He loved music and sang in the church choir, and for a number of years was a Barbershopper with the Indianhead Chorus. He and three of his singing buddies formed a Barbershop quartet named the Royalaires.

LeRoy also loved animals. Through the years several dogs and lots of cats called 413 Wisconsin Avenue home. His last kitty was Annie Marie or "Mouse", and she was his favorite, and was waiting for him at the "Rainbow Bridge."

LeRoy and Carla left their beloved home of 47 years in Centuria in 2008 for their Deer Ridge townhome in Mahtomedi. Here they found a welcoming community and many new friends.

LeRoy was a very caring and humble man, a consummate peacemaker, a man who always elevated the needs of others above his own, and deflected attention away from himself, even when he deserved praise and recognition. LeRoy just wanted to be of service and to be a friend to all.

Services will be held on January 6, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, Mahtomedi, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Memorials preferred to Lakeview Hospice, St. Andrew's Community Resource Center, or Donor's choice.