Agnes M. Anderson

Agnes Mathilda Berland Anderson was born in Lake Park, MN, on August 26, 1925 to Henry and Agnes Grani Berland. After the death of her mother, she was raised by her aunt and uncle Ella O. and Anton I. Handegard, as though she was their own daughter. She grew up on the farm near Lake Park, which she still owned at the time of her death. She was a lifelong member of Houglum Lutheran Church in rural Lake Park. After graduating from Lake Park High School in 1943, she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo. She began working for the Branick Manufacturing Company at the age of nineteen and worked there for fifty years, retiring in 1995. Agnes was married to Robert M. Anderson on November 7, 1948 in Lake Park, MN. Her daughter, Shari Lynne was born in 1960, and her son, Keven Myron, was born in 1963. In the 1980's she joined a group of investors to create Branick Industries and was part owner of the company during those years. Agnes and her beloved husband Bob commuted together to work in Fargo from the farm in Lake Park from 1963 until 1984 when Bob retired. After Bob retired, Agnes continued to commute on her own until her retirement in 1995 from Branick. In 1998, they moved from the farm at Lake Park to Moorhead. Ag loved to travel. Over the years, she and Bob explored most of the western part of the United States and Hawaii. In 2004, with her sister and niece, she ventured, for the first time, across the Atlantic Ocean to Norway. She is survived by a daughter, Shari Anderson Anthony Lipari, Fargo, ND; a son, Keven Monique Anderson, Lake Park, MN; a sister, Lila Berland Anderson, Ulen, MN ; two grandchildren, Maren & Kelsey Anderson; numerous nieces & nephews. The legacy Agnes leaves is one of dedication to the church, family and community, strength of spirit, generosity of heart and love of life. Memorials may be sent to Concordia College in memory of Agnes Anderson for the "Petunia Scholarship", or to Houglum Lutheran Church.