Verne Lyle Anderson, 77, of Crookston, Minnesota, died early Tuesday evening, March 4, 2008, in the Riverview Hospital in Crookston. He had been diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks ago. Verne was born in Crookston on October 11, 1930, the son of Clarence J. and Olga (Ulseth) Anderson. He attended country school at the Round School in Polk County's District 74, and graduated from Crookston Central High School in 1948. He then worked for the Nash-Finch Company in Crookston until entering St. Cloud State Teachers College in the fall of 1949. After receiving a degree in Business from St. Cloud State, Verne entered the US Army on September 25, 1953. For most of Verne's tour of duty he was stationed on the Island of Eniwetok in the South Pacific. Following his honorable discharge on September 23, 1955 he returned to Crookston and began working for the Gamble-Robinson Company. Verne was united in marriage to Harriet Estelle Desautel at Crookston on August 11, 1956, and together the couple raised three daughters and four sons. While employed by Gamble-Robinson they lived in Willmar and Minneapolis in Minnesota, and later at Great Falls and Bozeman, in Montana. In September of 1957 they returned to Crookston and he went to work for the Sanitary Dairy. Verne began employment with the Great Northern Railroad in September of 1959. After a career that spanned thirty-two years he retired from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1991. In May of 2003 Verne and Harriet were honored as Crookston's Experienced Citizens of the Month. Very sadly, Harriet passed away on September 22, 2004. The couple had enjoyed forty-eight years of marriage. Verne was heart-broken by her loss, and very grateful for the love of his family as they supported him and one another through this difficult time.

Verne was a longtime member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He was also very actively involved in the Veterans organizations- as a three-time Commander of Crookston American Legion Post #20 and present member of the Executive Committee; and with memberships in the 40 & 8 Voiture 772, Chef de Gere, and Crookston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1902. For the last several years he had served as coordinator for the Crookston Veterans Council, arranging for the Council's presence at funerals for fallen comrades and presenting many a flag to a grieving family member.

Verne will be very lovingly remembered by his three daughters and son-in-law, Sharon Lanctot and Beth Lee, both of Crookston, MN, and Sheila and Dennis Thull of Freeport, MN; four sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Cindy (Helseth) Anderson of Dayton, MN, Bruce and Mary (Cote) Anderson of Ramsey, MN, Mark and Sue (Sprague) Anderson of Crookston, and Patrick and Chanon (Johnson) Anderson of Sabin, MN; ten grandsons and eleven granddaughters; two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters; a brother, Marloe (Sylvia) Anderson and a sister, Charlene Anderson, both of Bloomington, MN; two sisters-in-law, Jan (Jim) Delage of Crookston, and Louise Deasautel of Albany, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Besides his beloved wife, Harriet, Verne was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Olga; a son-in-law, Robert Lanctot; two sisters, Laurel (Robert) Beebe and Clarice (Robert) Hutchinson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leo and Edith Desautel; and a brother-in-law, James Desautel.

The funeral service for Verne Anderson will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, March 8, 2008, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with the Rev. Randy Smith, officiating. Visitation will be at Trinity on Friday from 5-7PM, with a 7PM prayer service, and also for one hour before the funeral. Military Honors will be conducted by the Crookston Veterans Council. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Crookston in the spring. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.