Richard Norris Anderson 1922–2017

Age 94. Services Saturday August 26 at Swede Home Lutheran Church. Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola was in charge of arrangements.

Richard was born to Norris Merton John and Voilet (Stromberg) Anderson west of Stromsburg. He attended District 12 country school and graduated from Stromsburg High School in 1940. He then attended York College in York, Nebraska. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in December 1942. Following basic training at Wichita Falls, Texas, and additional training at Spearfish, South Dakota and Las Vegas, Nevada, he completed air cadet training in Santa Anna, California and San Antonio, Texas. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant he joined a flight crew in Boise, Idaho for combat training in a B-24 heavy bomber. He served as navigator on a B-24 in the European Theater of War. He flew many missions over Eastern Europe during World War II. He was discharged in 1945 as a 1st Lieutenant, and was awarded several military medals and ribbons.

On October 27, 1946 he was united in marriage to Donna Marie Twarling at her country home southeast of Stromsburg. To this union four children were born. Dick and his wife Donna farmed west of Stromsburg for 25 years. He retired from farming in 1970 when he was elected Polk County Assessor, serving in that position for 16 years. He was a life-long member ofCalvary Lutheran Church were he was baptized and confirmed. Richard was a proud Democrat. He was a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood and Stromsburg Masonic Lodge. Dick was the Stromsburg American Legion Post 132 Honored Veteran for 2005.

In retirement, Dick and Donna traveled extensively, and enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren. They attended many activities of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, his parents, and two brothers Paul and Lawrence Rodney Anderson.