Earl Andersen

Earl C. Andersen passed away at his home in Arco at high noon on Friday, May 28, 2010 surrounded by his family at the age of 80 years and 2 months. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Arco.  Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Tyler Area Funeral Home with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service. 

Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.  Interment is in the Arco Cemetery.  The Tyler Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Earl C. Andersen was born March 28, 1930 at home in rural Arco to Carl & Lillian (Sherman) Andersen.  He was baptized and confirmed at Bethany Lutheran Church in Arco.  He attended school through the 8th grade.  Earl was united in marriage to Yvonne Roberts on November 18, 1946 in Madison, SD.  They settled in the Arco area, living with Earl’s parents for the first five years and farmed and made their life in the community.  In his younger years, he enjoyed farming with his father and hunting trips to Roseau.  There were many years of hard work on the farm.  He especially enjoyed his cattle, including trips to Ft. Pierre, SD to buy cattle from McQuistion’s.  In the mid 1980’s, Earl stopped farming and began to work for his nephew in Sioux Falls at Runge Enterprises doing heavy construction until 2009 when he retired at the age of 79.  In his later years, Earl enjoyed auctions, flea markets, playing cards & cribbage, shaking dice and especially going for coffee with his buddies.  He also enjoyed welding, metal work, wood working, collecting John Wayne memorabilia and listening to Twins games.  He was grateful to have had Rose’s friendship in the past few years, even traveling to Yellowstone in early May 2010.  Earl was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and the Arco Sportsman’s Club.  Earl was always ready to “jazz it up a little!”  He loved country music; his favorite singer was Hank Thompson.  He was a cowboy at heart and was known as ‘Big John’ to many.  During the past two months, Earl showed that the depth of his tremendous strength, courage, and will extended well beyond his physical being.   He enjoyed many good times with family & friends and was thankful for all those who shared his life.

Earl is survived by his children: Sharyle (Robert) Schwalboski of Sartell, Kevin (Barb) Andersen of Little Falls, Jody (Beth) Andersen of Riverview, FL, & Mary (Steve) Maertens of Marshall; special friend Rose Rosen of Tyler; seven grandchildren & three great grandchildren: Ann Schwalboski, Brandon (Jill) Andersen with their children Cooper, Colby & Griffin, Blaine (Cara) Andersen, Ashley Schreurs, Morgan Schreurs, Jacob Andersen & Ayden Andersen; two step grandchildren: Adam (Dina) Maertens with their son Parker, & Tim Maertens with his son Keaton; sister Luella Madsen of Arco and many nieces & nephews.  Earl was preceded in death by Yvonne on December 4, 2006, his parents Carl & Lillian, and sister Florence Runge.

The family wishes to share their gratitude and appreciation to Ryan and Joel Schreurs for building Dad’s “Pine Box”.