Paul W. Anderson, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, May 26, 2014 at Lake Region Hospital.
He was born June 25, 1923 in Minneapolis to Bertrand J. and Ethel E. (Johnson) Anderson. He attended Pillsbury Elementary and graduated from Edison High School in 1941.
On July 30, 1942 Paul joined the United States Navy and served until December 2, 1953. He was an Apprentice Seaman USNR, at V-12 Naval Training Unit at Gustavus Adolphus College from 1943 to 1944; in 1944 he was commissioned Ensign at Notre Dame; on February 5, 1945 he arrived in San Francisco, and on March 17, 1945 he boarded USS Ernst for the Philippines until July 16, 1946. He received Honors and Medals including the American Theater, Asiatic Theater, Philippines Liberation, 1 Star, Victory Medal WWII and he also received a Salvage Commendation on December 20, 1945.
On August 3, 1946, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Peters in Minneapolis. Paul attended Gustavus Adolphus College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology in 1947. He later went to the University of Minnesota and earned his Master’s Degree in 1966.
Paul worked as a stock clerk at Montgomery Ward in 1941, and worked for Northern Ordnance beginning in 1942. Beginning in the fall of 1947, he began teaching Biology at the Fergus Falls High School and continued teaching until 1985. He also was a plant health specialist with the MN Department of Agriculture from 1958-1985 and was the Building Supervisor for the Otter Tail County Historical Society from October 1985-November 1989.
He enjoyed birding and sports, especially track, tennis and hockey.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a daughter, Mary Lee Anderson Nord, who died on April 16, 1987, his mother and father-in-law, Ethel and Karl Peters, and brother-in-law Robert Colburn.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; children, Steven (Kris) Anderson of Rosemount and Karin (Erik Scheurle) Anderson of Minneapolis; son-in law, Larry (Denise) Nord of Duluth, grandchildren, Cody (Clair Dittberner) Anderson, Sally (Ben) Lemke, and Heather and Michael Nord; and sister, Dorothy Colburn of Edina.
Memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice.
Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church
Memorial Service: 2 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2014, at Augustana Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Ben Durbin
Military Participation: Fergus Falls VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30
Interment: Pleasant View Cemetery, Burnsville, Minnesota
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota