07/11/2021
Loren Dale Anderson, the lifelong resident of Knoxville, passed away In Des Moines on July 11, 2021, at the age of 94.
He was born February 24, 1927, the middle son of Levi Ray and Goldie Marie Dennison Anderson in rural Knoxville. He graduated co-valedictorian from Knoxville High School in 1944.
Loren served in the US Army, 78th Ordinance Depot Company, 5th Army Europe, in Germany from 1950-1952, and remained a proud and patriotic US Veteran and lifelong American Legionnaire.
After his service Loren entered Iowa State University before continuing his career as a grade foreman for Booth and Olson, Inc., bringing the sub-surface for the concrete to grade on farm-to-market roads throughout Iowa as well as some of the first interstate highways in the Midwest.
It would be difficult to estimate the number of those miles during his career, and he certainly had his share of stories about those days. In 1969 Loren joined his brother Jim’s family company, Midwest Business Forms Supply, as a sales representative covering western Iowa and eastern Nebraska. He continued serving customers in this second career for fifty years until his final retirement in 2019.
Loren worked on the family farm in Gosport while growing up and throughout his adulthood, and with his brothers in another farming enterprise, Anderson Brothers, until their deaths.
Loren was known for his Cribbage expertise. He was the Marion County Cribbage Champion more than once and participated in the Iowa State Fair Cribbage Tournament for several years. It was his passion. He was also a bridge player, a die-hard St Louis Cardinals fan, an annual Iowa State Fair attendee since 1932, and an avid follower of all sports.
Loren remained a bachelor and was always available to support family and friends.
One would be hard-pressed to find a more gentle, humble, kind, and generous man. Loren was “Anderson Strong” and “A Tough Old Bird”. He will be missed by so many.
Loren was preceded in death by his parents, brothers James W and Howard D, sister-in-law Daisy Clark Anderson, and nephew Gary Anderson.
He is survived by his loving niece and nephews, Elaine Anderson (St Augustine FL), David (Patti) Anderson (Johnston IA), and Larry (Donna) Anderson (Chariton IA), and their Clark first cousins; great, great-great, great-great-great nieces and nephews; cousins; and many friends across the US who consider him “Uncle Loren”.
Visitation with the family will be held at Williams Funeral Home on July 25 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
Memorial Service and Interment will be held at Gosport Cemetery on July 26 at 11:00 am.