Ben Anderson

Funeral services for Ben Anderson, 92, of Groton will be 2:00pm, Friday, July 6th at the First Presbyterian Church, Groton. Rev. Terry Kenny will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the chapel from 4-8pm on Thursday and will continue for one hour prior to services at the church.

Ben passed away June 28, 2007 at Golden Living Center, Groton.

Benjamin Arnold Anderson was born in Groton on November 29, 1914 to Oscar and Louise (Klabunde) Anderson. He attended school in Groton, graduating in 1932. Ben continued his education at the School of Mines in Rapid City and later transferred to South Dakota State University. Following his graduation in 1936, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota and worked toward his Master's Degree. Ben accepted a job in Mason City, Iowa working for Equitable Life Insurance Company. During this time, he met his wife of over 50 years, Iyone Buethe. They were married in June of 1937 in Nasahwa, Iowa and made their home in Forest City, Iowa. Though Ben enjoyed his work, his father's request compelled him to return home to the family farm and so it was in 1946, that he moved his family to Groton to begin farming. Iyone and Ben enjoyed traveling and visited many different places before her death in September of 1996. In 1999, he united in marriage with Lorraine Rix and they made their home in Groton.

Ben was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Groton and the Masonic Lodge. He served as chairman on the Groton School Board and Brown County Commission. During this time, Ben was active in the Planning Development District and State Board of Education, also serving as chairman of both boards.

Many will remember Ben for his good-nature and love for pranks, as he enjoyed playing tricks on his good friends.

Grateful for having shared in his life is his second wife; Lorraine Anderson of Groton, his children; Jon & Janet Anderson of Groton, Mary & Jon Alsop of Lopez Island, Washington, his sister, Irene Snyder of Pocatello, Idaho, four grandchildren; Brett Anderson, Jill (Terry) Cutler, Stephanie (Brendan) Irving, Susan (Jeff) Kalles and five great-grandchildren; Jonathan, Abby and Megan Cutler, Birk and Svea Irving.

Preceding him in death were his parents, and his wife, Iyone.

Casketbearers will be Clayton Sternhagen, Orville Schaller, Larry Schelle, Dave Ohleen, Tony Goldade and Jim Gerdes.

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