Gene Palmer Anderson

Gene Palmer Anderson, 85, of Hawley, MN, passed away on Monday, June 25, 2018, in Sanford on Broadway, Fargo, ND. Gene was born April 9, 1933 to Emil and Florence (Westlund) Anderson in Dale, MN. Gene grew up in Hawley, MN where he graduated from Hawley High School in 1951. He worked in California for one year before enlisting in the army.

When Gene returned from his military service, he worked at Burns Motors in Hawley, MN. He married Shirley Breuer on September 17, 1955 in Dilworth, MN. They moved to Moorhead where Gene began his career at American Crystal Sugar before moving back to Hawley.

In 1957, Gene’s son, Marc Alan was born, followed by Katherine Marie in 1959, and Roberta Lynn in 1966. Over the next few years they had 16 foster children.

Health issues forced Gene into an early retirement from American Crystal, so he moved to Saratoga, WY and was a shuttle driver for the fisherman. Retiring from there, he returned to Hawley and was a parts runner for Rapat. He finally retired for good at the age of 80 on his birthday.

Gene loved working on old cars, mowing the lawn, fishing, and his dog, Ginger.

Gene is survived by his wife, Shirley; son, Marc (Mary) Anderson; daughter, Kathy (Mike Haley) Borgen; grandsons, Casey (Sarah Abing) Anderson, Aaron and Devin Anderson; granddaughter, Chandi Mueller; great-grandchildren, James Mueller, Reese and Asher Anderson, and Amelia and Easton Johnsen; sister, Marion (Toby) Clemetson; a special part of his family, Gerry (Wahoo) Neadeau; his comfort dog, Ginger; and many other loving relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Florence; parents-in-law, William and Minnette Breuer; daughter, Roberta Lynn; and siblings, Betty James and Charles Anderson.

Visitation will be on Friday, June 29, 2018, from 5:00PM-7:00PM with a prayer service beginning at 7:00PM at Wright Funeral Home in Hawley, MN.

Funeral Service will be on Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 10:30AM at Solem Lutheran Church, Rural Hawley, MN, with a visitation one hour prior to the service.

Burial will take place after the service at Solem Lutheran Church Cemetery.