Born: October 26, 1921.
Died: February 4, 2011.
Paul D. Anderson, 89, died Friday, February 4, 2011, at the home of his daughter Susan, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Hospice of Citrus County, Florida.
Paul was born in West Union, Iowa, to August R. and Mabel Guider Anderson. The family moved to Waukon, IA, when Paul was 6 years old. He attended St. Patrick School for 10 years and then graduated from Waukon High School in 1939. Paul and his brothers worked in the family business, Anderson Produce, during their school years and returned after World War II to continue in the business until 1974.
Ensign Anderson completed Naval Aviation Training, spending some of that time at the University of Iowa and the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, TX. In Florida, he was stationed at the Miami N.A.S., Torpedo Squadron 361, flying the TBF Avenger from the Naval Aircraft Carrier Croatan. In Miami he met Theresa E. Wetzel from Cincinnati, OH. They were married November 24, 1945, and returned to Iowa. After retiring from the family business, Paul leased and operated Green Valley Golf Course until 1989. Paul and Theresa returned to Florida every winter for many years until 2003, then making Citrus County, FL, their home. Paul enjoyed sports, flying, golf, and traveling with Theresa.
Paul was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Waukon Golf and Country Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lawrence D. Anderson Post, named after his brother who was an officer aboard the USS Arizona, and died at Pearl Harbor.
Paul is survived by Theresa, his wife of 65 years; daughters, Susan (Barney) McCollough of Crystal River, FL, and Nancy Nissen of St Augustine, FL; sons Lawrence J. (Gloria) Anderson of Stillwater, MN, and Dr. Steven (Kathy Emorey) Anderson; a sister Marjorie (Kenneth) Howe and sister-in-law Wanda Anderson; 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Robert O. & wife Betty, Lawrence D. "Bud" and Ralph "Rocky."
A celebration of Paul's life will be held in Waukon in the coming summer. Cremation will be under the direction of Strickland Funeral Home. A Mass of Remembrance will be held at St. Benedict Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 7, 2011, at 10 a.m.
The family wishes to thank Father Richard of St. Benedict Parish and the nurses and staff of Hospice of Citrus County for their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL; Community & Home Care at Veteran's Memorial Hospital, Waukon, IA, or St. Patrick School, Waukon, IA. Published in Citrus County Chronicle from February 7 to February 10, 2011