John R. Anderson

John Richard “Dick” Anderson, 86, of Gwinn, Mi., passed away Thursday, Sept.15, 2022, after a short illness. During his illness he was in the care of the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, Mi.

Born Nov. 16, 1935 in Chicago, Ill., to the late John O. and Saima (Nelson) Anderson, his mother was first generation Swedish/Finnish and his dad came to America in 1923.

At an early age he was called Richard or Dick and they would visit Grandpa Henry Nelson on the homestead farm near Daggett, Mi. on the 400 North Western Train. In 1944, he was 10 when the family moved to the farm to help his grandpa and he started school in Carney. Living on the farm was some of his happiest memories.

A work ethic was developed by picking green beans at $.03/pound, picked rocks at $.50 and cared for his dads Holsteins. He rode his new J.C Figgins Bike to farms taking seed orders and for deliveries and also pealed Aspin for $.10 a stick.

His paying job was a milk tester for the dairy herd improved association. There was time for League playing softball and coaching little league. He loved riding in his convertible, fished brookies with special friends and hunted, with several bucks taken.

He loved his herd of brown Swiss cows and dreamed of having his own farm and to have the largest brown Swiss herd in the UP. He belonged to the Talbot Dairy 4H Club and never missed the fair with his cows for 10 years. Later he was the 4H leader. He did his fair share of trapping too and always had time for Church and Sunday School at the Carney Free Church.

He graduated from Stephenson High School in 1953 and that fall he went by train to East Lansing, MSC. For a year he studied the short course on farming and dairy production.

In 1958, he joined the United States Army and served in Ordnance. He earned a sharpshooter (Carbine) Expert Rifle badge and spent 19 months in Mannheim, Germany, traveling in Europe and visiting Swedish relatives in the summer and winter and met his paternal Grandpa Anderson. While visiting his aunt at Stockholm Railway, he saw the King of Sweden leaving the Royal Coach. In 1960 he was called to active duty for the Cuba Crisis and served several times at Fort Sheridan. He was honorably discharged in 1962.

He worked as a welder at a normal ship yard in San Francisco and Chicago. From 1969 to 1988, he was married to Nadine Klatt in Chicago, Ill. and they had two sons and he was proud of them and their families.

A logger, he also owned Dicks Bowling Alley in Daggett. On Sept. 23, 1995, he married Carolyn (Barker) Townsend of Marquette.

He retired in January of 1999 from the Department of Corrections. He enjoyed a trip in 2005 in Canada, West to Anchorage, Alaska and fished the Kenai Peninsula where he ate salmon and dug for clams.

A woodturner, he harvested burls, turned hardwoodand attended craft shows and turner symposiums. He was always learning, was independent and walked to his own drummers beat.

He visited 47 states, seven countries and loved nature, quiet sunsets, looked for agates, traveled and was an avid reader. He loved 1957 Chevys, bowling, a good dance, was a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan from age 10 and also enjoyed Spartan games, stream fishing and hunting.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Carolyn; two sons, Scott (Bobby Ables-Smith) Anderson of Salida, Ca. and Shane (Trisha) Anderson of Troy, Mi.; a step-son, Scott (Brenda) Townsend of Marquette; a sister, Eleanor (Richard) Weycker of Stonington, Va.; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; his former wife, Nadine (Ted) Anderson Macst of Ohio and his Church family.

Family greeted relatives and friends at Anderson Diehm Funeral Home in Stephenson on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. until time of the funeral service at noon, with Pastor Lon Russell of Heritage Baptist Church, Carlshend, Mi. presiding, followed by a Luncheon. Burial was at Maple Grove Cemetery in Oakwood. Online condolences can be made at www.anderson-diehm.com Memorials can be made to the Heritage Baptist Church building fund, attention Pastor Lon Russell, 751 E Airfield Road, Little Lake, Mi. 49841.