Robert J. Anderson
Robert J. Anderson, 96, of Waukon died Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Northgate Care Center in Waukon. A private graveside service was held at Old West Paint Creek Cemetery in rural Waukon. A memorial service is being planned for August 11, 2020. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.
Memorials may be given to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon, the Allamakee Food Shelf, or any charity of choice. Condolences can be sent to Agnes Anderson at 110 12th Avenue NW, Waukon, IA 52172.
Robert John Anderson was born August 23, 1923 in Allamakee County to Clifford and Cora (Olander) Anderson. They lived in Center Township, where his father farmed, and they attended Center Baptist Church. Bob completed his first eight years of education at the Elon School and graduated from Waukon High School in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy May 23, 1945 and served on a floating dry dock in the Pacific Theater, where he attained the grade of Electrician Mate 3rd Class, and was given an honorable discharge July 18, 1946.
While attending high school, he lived on West Main Street in Waukon across from a beautiful young lady named Agnes Johnson. Bob and Agnes were married August 11, 1946 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. She was the love of his life!
RJ served six years on the Waukon City Council, was a lineman for the Paint Creek Telephone Company, and also was a petroleum salesman for Farm Service. He was a city farmer for many years. Bob was a trustee and on the trust fund committee at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where he and Agnes attended. He played on the Kriete baseball team, enjoyed golf, bowled on the town traveling team and for the Skelly team, and was a charter member of the Allamakee Antique Car Club.
Bob became partners with Donald and Ralph Sweeney and formed the Home Oil Company in 1958. The customers’ children loved to see him come because they knew he had candy for them.
Bob and his dad started developing an acreage in Village Creek in 1968, known as Swede Bottom. This became a special place for family and friends. His grandchildren loved going for rides in the gas truck and just spending time with Grandpa at Swede Bottom, even though when playing ball together he claimed, “they swung like a rusty gate!” Up until 91 years of age, Bob spent many hours mowing.
RJ believed in having a good time! Bob and Agnes traveled with good friends to the Bahamas and many Iowa Hawkeye games. They enjoyed traveling to see his brother, Jim, and friends in Arizona, and trips to Michigan, Maine and to Montana to visit his son. Other special trips included taking all of their family to Disney World to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and taking an Honor Flight with his grandson to the WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.
Many memories and tall tales were made deer hunting and fishing over 55 years with great friends. He always had a good joke for everyone he met. Bob was an Iowa Hawkeye fan and a true blue Chicago Cubs fan and was very thankful he got to see them win the World Series.
He is survived by his wife of 73-1/2 years, Agnes, of Waukon; his three children: Linda (Dean) Krambeer of Pine Island, MN, Larry (Maggie) Anderson of Brainerd, MN and Lori (Randy) Hesse of Waukon; eight grandchildren: Cori (Kevin) Arce, Dena (Bob) Weinmann, Tom (Kelsey) Krambeer, Russ (Elsa) Anderson, Josh (Jessica) Anderson, Zach (Alissa) Anderson, Heath (Jill) Hesse and Heidi (Chris) Goetzinger; 19 great-grandchildren: Amelia and Max Arce, Theo and Mabel Krambeer, Kathryn, Willa, Milo and baby Anderson due in August, Ari and Luna Anderson, Henley, Thea, Solveig and Sloane Anderson, Sid, Veda and Lennon Hesse, and Grady, Sawyer and Archer Goetzinger; and his brother, Bill Anderson.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James.
Honorary casketbearers are his grandchildren. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
