Gerald Clifford Anderson Obituary

[Sioux City Journal, Sioux City, IA, 7/23/2002]

Gerald C. Anderson

MAPLETON, Iowa -- Gerald C. Anderson, 82, of Mapleton died Sunday, July 21, 2002, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton, with the Rev. Bob Fritzmeier officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, Blencoe, Iowa, with military rites conducted by American Legion Loren Hollister Post 396 of Mapleton. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Gerald Clifford Anderson was born July 21, 1920, in Oto, Iowa, the son of Charles Miron and Mary (Edwards) Anderson. He lived his entire life in the Mapleton area. He worked with the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938 at Moorhead, Iowa.

He married Margie McFarland and to this union three children where born. From 1942 to 1944, he served his country in the U.S. Army in World War II. He was a rifleman in Infantry Co. A at Utah Beach, Normandy, and the D-Day Invasion. For his valor, he was awarded numerous medals, including the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Emblem, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

Upon his discharge, he returned to the Mapleton area, where he worked as a mechanic, a carpenter and drove a cement truck. He married Marlyn Engstrom and six children were born to this union. He enjoyed dancing and country music.

Those survivors remaining to cherish his memory include two daughters and their husbands, Teresa and Dave Bartels of Moorhead, and Gerry and Woodie Woodson of Kansas City, Mo.; five sons, Chuck and his wife, Deb Anderson of Dike, Iowa, Tim and his wife, Teri Anderson of Globe, Ariz., Jim and his wife, Tina Anderson of Whiting, Iowa, Brian and his wife, Debbie Anderson of Sioux City, and Dave Anderson of Kansas City, Mo.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers, five sisters, an infant son and a daughter.