Philip Anderson

Philip “Buzz” Anderson was the youngest of five children born to Arthur and Essie Anderson on January 2, 1932, in Anoka, MN. He grew up in East Bethel, MN and graduated from St. Francis High School. He served in the United States Air Force for four years, which included nine months stationed in Japan during the Korean Conflict. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Mickelson, on October 6, 1951.

After his Air Force service, Philip and Jean returned to East Bethel to work and farm. In 1972, the dream to own a dairy farm led to a family move to the black dirt of Lake Park, MN, where everything grew three times better than it did in the sand plains of East Bethel. When Philip and Jean quit milking cows, he was able to enjoy riding his red tractors for many years. Even as his eyesight failed he continued to drive his snowmobiles, plow trucks, ATV’s and his bobcat.

Philip enjoyed many activities and adventures including: skiing behind his buddies’ cars, fishing (very early season fish taste best), hunting, canoe trips to the boundary waters, and traveling to England, Alaska, California, Canada, Arizona, national parks and nearly every quilt shop in northern Minnesota.

Philip died Monday, October 23, 2017, in the VA Hospital, Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Frank, and great-granddaughter, Autumn Safar.

Remaining to celebrate his life are his wife, seven children and their spouses: Wanda (Bill) Sikora, Anita (John) Goulett, Dan (Nadine) Anderson, Leroy (Donna) Anderson, Gail Anderson, Jim (Abby) Anderson, Karen (Lloyd) Feldt; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lois (Arland) Wisted and Rachel Peterson; brother, Laurie Anderson and many more loving family members and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 2:00 PM, with a visitation one hour before, at Eksjo Lutheran Church, Lake Park, MN.