Obituary of Adolph Andersen

On January 22, 2024, Adolph (Andy) Andersen went to be with his Lord.  He passed away at a wonderful group home (Acacia Heights) in Peoria, AZ.  Andy was born on a farm north of Gary, SD, but in Lac Qui Parle, MN, on October 23, 1928.  His parents were Hans Christian (Chris) and Lula Andersen.  He was five years old when the family moved to Brandt, SD, where later he graduated from Brandt High School in 1946.  Immediately, he joined the Army after his mother signed for him as he was 17 years old.  He was transported in a box car to San Antonio, TX, for basic training.  He was sent to Camp Kilmer, NJ, enroute to Europe, but orders were changed.  They went through the Panama Canal on their way to Hawaii, then to Yokohama, and on to Tachikawa Air Force Base in Japan.  Andy received the WWII Victory Medal, the Occupational Medal for Japan, and the American Theatre Ribbon.  He was stationed in Japan nearly 2 1/2 years and was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a Sergeant on September 16, 1949.

Andy moved to Madison, SD, and graduated from General Beadle State Teachers College, later known as Dakota State University, graduating in 1955.  While in college he met and married Willetta (Billie) Charles on June 7, 1953.  Upon graduating they moved to Astoria, SD, and taught in the High School and later taught in Hendricks, MN (10 miles away) for a total of 26 years before retiring in 1981.  Later he became a Rural Mail Carrier retiring in 1998. The highlight of their life was the 60 plus years of life on the farm raising cattle and farming the land - this was their "happy place".  Their daughters grew up on the farm.  Andy and Billie wintered in Sun City, AZ, and in 2023 became full-time residents in Sun City, AZ.

Andy enjoyed fishing, hunting, welding, building several houses, made a bandsaw and a chainsaw mill to make his own lumber.  He also built a 7/8 scale model Piper cub airplane during his spare time.  He was always happy, fun to be around and interested in everything.  He always had time to visit, and truly cared about others.  Andy was active in his church (Bethel Lutheran) at Astoria and now at the ALC in Sun City.  He belonged to the American Legion Post at Astoria, SD.  Andy and his wife, Billie, were happily married for more than 70 years, a beautiful love story!!

They have three daughters, Krystal (Kris) (Dave) Thomson of Christiana, TN, Vicki (Chuck) Oligmueller of Scottsdale, AZ, and Joan Andersen (Jane Ceasor) of Carefree, AZ.

The five grandchildren are Andrew (Jess) Oligmueller, Rachel and Elise Oligmueller of Scottsdale, AZ, Nick Goerisch, Matt (Amy) Goerisch of Murfreesboro, TN.  There are six great-grandchildren, Jax, Anniston, and Tyler Goerisch of Murfreesboro, TN, Mila and Noelle Oligmueller, and Brooks Forsi of Scottsdale, AZ.

Andy leaves his wife, Willetta (Billie), three daughters and families, his brother, Al and wife Sharon of Springfield, MO, brother-in-law, Robert Charles of Howard, SD, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Donna and Clint Rohrer of Slayton, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Those who no longer are here are his two brothers, Elmer and wife, Lois, Paul and his wife, Carmel, sister-in-law, Shirley Charles, nephew, David Rohrer, his parents, Chris and Lula Andersen and his wife's parents, Bill and Mabel Charles.

A Memorial Service will be held at the American Lutheran Church in Sun City on January 29, 2024, at 11 am.  The Burial Service will be held in Astoria, SD, on June 7, 2024, at 2 pm with lunch following at Bethel Lutheran Church.  If you would like to make a donation in memory of Andy Andersen, please consider Phoenix Children's Hospital Heart Center.  Blessed be his memory!