Harold John Anderson

Harold John Anderson 91 of McGregor died Monday, September 12, 2011 in Viewcrest Health Center in Duluth. He was born October 25, 1920 in the Sheriff Lake area near McGregor to John and Selma Anderson. He attended a one-room school house that would later be remodeled into his home. During his teen years Harry was employed in the grain fields of North Dakota. He was drafted into the army in 1942. He served overseas in the Central Europe Campaign where he was a heavy mortar crew man. During a battle he was wounded, captured, and held as a P.O.W. After his honorable discharge on October 17, 1945 he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, Expert Infantry Badge, Two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He returned to the Sheriff Lake area where he took over the family farm. Harry started milking cows in 1945 and didn't miss a milking until he sold the cows in June 1982. Harry worked closely with his twin brother Rueben helping each other farm and forming a special bond between twins that lasted a lifetime. During his retirement he helped his nephews with their hay business. He drove the baler and was on the tractor for the last time in September 2009 at 88 years old. Harry was always willing to lend a hand and was a second dad to his nephews. Harold was preceded in death by sisters, Mildred Sundberg and Minnie Haapanen. He is survived by his twin brother, Rueben (Erma) Anderson; nieces, Elaine (Randy) Johnson and Jan (Ken) Seibert; nephews Richard (Debra) Anderson, Leonard (Rebecca) Haapanen and David (Tammy) Haapanen. Harry will be greatly missed by his family and friends but we all rejoice that he accepted Christ last January and now his new home is in Heaven. Funeral services were held on Friday, September 16, 2011 in Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. A luncheon followed in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Burial was in Sheriff Lake Cemetery in Spaulding Township. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home. To sign the guestbook and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com