Obituaries : James Louis Anderson

James Louis Anderson passed from this life on Friday January 25, 2019 due to a stroke. Jim was born June 23rd, 1933 on the family farm four miles southwest of Vinton, the youngest of ten children of William Carl and Cora Barta Anderson. He attended country school at Jackson #7 through the sixth grade and then the Vinton public schools, graduating from Lincoln High School with the Class of 1951. He entered the United States Air Force in 1952, serving overseas on the island of Guam and in the country of Japan, and was discharged in 1956. He was united in marriage with Barbara Jean Pelley on June 30, 1957. They farmed 27 years on the farm where Jim was born. He was recognized as a Master Lamb Producer in 1967. In 1984 Jim went to work for the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School as a groundskeeper retiring from there in 1998. He enjoyed woodworking and building, and could recall events, family birthdays, and genealogy connections as quick as a wink. He was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Life Member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of George G. Luckey Post # 57 of the American Legion where he served as Commander, Vice Commander, and as Finance Officer for 20 years. He was awarded a Life Membership by the post in 2001. He also served as Commander, Adjutant, Finance Officer, Historian and Chaplain of the Benton County American Legion where he was recognized as Legionnaire-of-the-Year in 1996. He was proud to have been a member of our country’s armed forces. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ivan, Glen, Forrest, Howard, and their wives, sisters Mabel, Dorothy, Irene and Lucille and their husbands, nephews Kenneth Lee Soden, Steven W. Anderson, Leland H. Johannessen Jr, Dennis R. Dunakey and Jerry C. Johannessen. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, his children Robyn (Randy)Dorf of Lansing, Kansas, Scott of Vinton, Susan (Kent)Meyer of Vinton, granddaughters Sarah(Joe), Melanie, Taylor(John), Whitney & Gracelyn, grandsons Trenton, Wes(Carly)and Wyatt, great-grandsons Owen and Evan, great-granddaughter Clara, brother Warren(Pat) of Grinnell, Iowa, sisters-in-law Shirley Doud, Virginia Deterding both of Vinton, Judy Hall of Marion, Iowa, Kate (Dave)Albert of Scottsdale, Arizona and many nieces and nephews. Jim was a regular blood donor having donated 22 plus gallons of blood. His family wishes to thank Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids and Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton for their compassionate care and services during his hospitalization and aftercare. He wished to be cremated with a private family service being held later. Memorial contributions may be sent in Jim’s name to George G. Luckey Post #57, The American Legion, 105 North R Avenue, Vinton Iowa 52349