George Anderson

George R.  Anderson, Age 83, Of Battle Creek, Our Dad – Opa to his grandkids – made his transition peacefully, three days after his 83rd birthday in the comfort of his home. If you’ve ever spotted his trademark captain’s hat around town, don’t be surprised if you got a friendly wink or a wave, and if you gave him one in return, you surely made his day. Born in St Joseph, George grew up in the rural village of Grant, spending summers pulling onions in the muck fields. He received his bachelor’s degree in heating and cooling from Western Michigan University, and afterward served in the US Army. His unit was deployed to Hanau, Germany in the early 1950s. There, he met hazel-eyed local gal Ursula Sofie Daube at a Christmas party, and knew right away that she was the one. They married on the 4th of July, 1956. The pair moved to Battle Creek and George began his career at Kellogg’s. It was there that he suffered the loss of part of his right hand in a factory accident, an event that may have spurred his passion for do-it-yourselfing. If he wasn’t building something, he was thinking about the next project. Our family cottage on Crystal Lake up north is testament to that passion. At 14, George lost his father Robert in a random hit-and-run accident. Otherwise, the Andersons were of hearty, strong-willed stock. He was preceded in death by his mother Letha (Smith) Anderson in 1983, his brother Larry of Tennessee, and sister Vadah LeCompte of Wisconsin. He lost his dear Ursula in 2008 after 52 years of marriage. Surviving are his son Marcus Anderson (Anne), daughter Renée Anderson (Anders Johansen), former son-in-law Brent Culp, grandchildren Rachel and Sonja Anderson and Henry and Vivian Culp, and his cat Roxie Five-Toes. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Weiler officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers and donations, just remember to Keep Smiling. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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