Gerald E Anderson

Gerald E. Anderson (Jerry), 87. Born July 24, 1929, Died September 20, 2016 at Hurricane Rehabilitation Center, Hurricane, Utah. Jerry is survived by his wife Carol, La Verkin, UT; daughter Nora and son-in-law Brian Singer, Monument, CO; Granddaughter Camilla and Husband Matthew Melland and three Great-Grandsons, Merrick, Knox and Ryder, Aurora, CO; Grandson Adam and wife Jasmin, Englewood, CO; Grandson Wesley and wife Teresa, Cloverdale, CA. Survivors also include Carol’s son Eugene and wife Laura Handeland, Thayer, MO; Grandson Scott and wife Beth Handeland, Great Grandchildren Madison, Autumn and Christian, Des Moines, IA; Granddaughter Rachel and husband Dave Richards, Des Moines, IA; Samantha and husband Waylan Edwards, Houston, TX; son Wayne and wife Angie Handeland, Grandchildren Taylor and Madison, Cedar Rapids, IA; Granddaughter Holly and husband Ryan Kardell, Great Grandchildren Alexandra and Kyler, Gardiner, KS. Siblings Ruby Marie Duke, Tucson, AZ, Wanda J. Thompson, Prescott, AZ, Montie Lou Nail, Wasilla, AK. Preceded in death by parents Peder Almer and Nora Lee (Bales) Anderson; brothers Peder and Duane; brother-in-laws Charles B. Duke (Ruby), Paul Thompson (Wanda) and James P Nail (Montie); first wife Bettie (Hackett) Anderson. Jerry, born in Deer Creek, Iowa, always lived by example and was a hardworking man. His heart held the soul of an adventurer and traveler. Entered the Coast Guard at age 14 ½ to help his country (with his parents written permission). In the Merchant Marine, Jerry sailed on the SS Marine Swallow during WWII carrying troops and supplies across the Pacific. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly served from 1950-1953. Out of the Marines, Jerry was a cook, baker and carpenter. He spent 24 years in Alaska as a butcher, big game guide for famous trophy hunters, worked sled dog teams and ran trap lines, airport manager for Sand Point Airport, and heavy equipment operator on the Alaska pipeline. His journeys and life experiences are numerous along with his stories. He travelled to Southern Utah working on friend Bud Branham’s Sunset Canyon ranch. An interesting event occurred during this time. He hitchhiked back to Iowa with his Palomino horse, Jim. Original story and photos appeared in the Albert Lea Tribune March 27, 1959. For twelve years Jerry and Carol bred, raised and trained Paso Fino horses on an 80 acre ranch they built in Wolf Creek, Oregon where they also mined for gold. He and his loved ones often travelled around North America. Passion for the land brought him back to Utah where they settled in La Verkin near Zion National Park. A lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Jerry was very proud to be a marine in service to his country. He was not held down by boundaries and taught his family that you can do anything you put your mind to. Gerald, a man with many hats, adventurer and storyteller, will be missed by all the hearts he touched. Interment will be Tuesday, September 27 at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder City, Nevada, 12:40 pm. It will be a military arranged service. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Northwood, IA. VFW would be appreciated.

Gerald E Anderson

July 24, 1929 - September 20, 2016