James "Jim" Anderson

James M Anderson (Jim) arrived on June 22, 1930, to Hugo and Clara Anderson in Wykeham township.  He attended Country School and high school in Eagle Bend, MN where he graduated in 1947.  After graduation he joined the army where he served for 2 years, after being discharged he returned home and went to work for Great Northern/Burlington Northern Railroad.  He was called back to service for 1 more year, after which he returned home again and went back to work for the railroad where he worked for 42 years in various positions, which involved traveling to the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.

He met and after a short engagement married Mary Ritter on September 15th, 1961 at St. Joseph’s church in Clarissa, MN. One year later they welcomed their daughter Susan on their first anniversary.

In 1992 Jim retired from the railroad after 42 years, he didn’t think he would be busy but, to his surprise kept very busy doing the things he enjoyed, carpenter work, odd jobs and built their current home in 1976. He was a member of the American Legion Post 213, a member of the Clarissa Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years, served as City Clerk part-time and was on the City Council for 4 years. He volunteered around town and in later years at the Senior Center and Clarissa museum. Adding to their community involvement, Jim and Mary were crowned Summerfest Senior Citizen King and Queen a few years ago.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Hugo and Clara Anderson, Sister Mary Kent and brother-in- law Joseph Kent, daughter Peggy Pooler, brother-in-law Robert Warner, in-laws George and Mildred Ritter, aunts and uncles, and many dear old friends.  He is survived by his wife of 59 years Mary Anderson, daughter Susan Anderson, grandsons, Mark (Leia) Pooler, Mike (Jill) Pooler, grand-dog Cooper, great grandchildren, son-in-law Dennis Pooler, sister-in-law Carole Warner, God-daughters Mary Becker and Diane Winter, nieces and nephews.

Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. 

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