John C. Anderson, 80, Halstad, MN, died Tuesday, April 12, 2016 in Halstad.

John was born July 13, 1935, son of Arthur and Elizabeth (Shipper) Anderson of Caledonia, ND. He attended the Caledonia School, then graduated from the Halstad High School in 1953. Following his father's and grandfather's footsteps, John made farming his life's work.

On June 8, 1957, John was united in marriage to Beverly Nelson at Ada, MN. Together they raised three boys—Doug, Mike, and Greg. John, with his dad, was passionate about farming and enjoyed it throughout his life. He retired in 1988, then stayed active on the Stenerson farm operated by Todd Stenerson for the next several years. In 1997, Bev and John moved into Shelly, MN, and in 1999, to Halstad. John worked for the Fredrikson Funeral Home as a funeral assistant for the next 10 years. Bev died in 2008. On July 9, 2013, John was united in marriage to Betty Larson at Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, MN. They lived in Halstad until John died.

Farming was John's way of life. He enjoyed all aspects of tilling the fields, growing crops and harvesting the fruit of his labor. John was a Lion's Club member, very active with the Eye Bank program in Minneapolis and the Diabetes program. Through Lions volunteerism, he and Bev were able to travel, meeting people and making friends locally and from around the world while in service to others. As a member of Shelly Marsh River Lutheran Church, John was active in ministry of the church. Their cabin on Maple Lake near Mentor, MN, was "a summer get away" the whole family enjoyed. John was a caring and sensitive man who preferred action over desire in community service.

John is survived by his wife, Betty, Halstad; three sons, Doug (Jill) Anderson, Antigo, WI, Mike (Jan) Anderson, Detroit Lakes, MN, and Greg (Jodi) Anderson, Hillsboro, OR, five grandchildren, Rachel Brunsell (Nate) and children: Payton, Jaxon and Ryder, Adam, Leah (Brandon), Kendra, and Roman Anderson, three step grandchildren, Christopher, Brittany, and Jami Grinde. John also has five step children: Steve (Shannon) Ust, San Antonio, TX, Laurie (Todd) VanEnk, West Fargo, ND, Robert (Stacy) Ust, Portland, ND, John (Lori) Ust, Portland, ND, and David (Kathy) Ust, Clifford, ND; and 15 step grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Beverly, two brothers, Ernest and Fritz Doerr, and one sister, Elsie Schlottman.

Funeral: 11:00AM, Monday, April 18, 2016 at Shelly Marsh River Lutheran Church, Shelly, Minnesota.

Visitation: Sunday, April 17th from 5:00-7:00PM with a Prayer Service at 6:30PM, at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home, Halstad, MN

Burial: Caledonia (ND) Cemetery.