James R. Anderson

Monday, September 10, 2018 2:15 pm

James R. Anderson, 87, of Decorah, died Monday morning, July 11, 2018, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah after a brief illness. Memorial services are at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at First United Methodist Church in Decorah, with Rev. Hyeunmee Kang officiating. Inurnment is in Phelps Cemetery in Decorah. Visitation is after 10 a.m. Saturday, one hour before services, at First United Methodist Church.

James R. “Jim” Anderson was born Dec. 13, 1930, to Harold and Helen Anderson in his grandparents’ farmhouse in rural Winneshiek County. His family moved to Decorah when he was a teen and he has lived there ever since. Jim and his mother lived in an apartment in the Hotel Winneshiek at the time of the great Hotel Winneshiek fire. Jim and a friend rescued his mom’s new refrigerator and anything they could carry; and he grabbed his “squirrel gun” off the wall just as the floor caved in underneath him.

Jim had worked as an insurance salesman, a patrol officer for Decorah Police Department and as a deputy sheriff with the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office before settling into a position with the US postal service in Decorah.
Jim was married to the late Evelyn Mae “Evie” Roney Anderson April 27, 1957. They had two children, Michael J. Anderson and Kari L. Anderson Winters. They were long-time members of the Decorah First United Methodist Church where Jim served as a trustee for several years. He also was a member of several social organizations including the Postal Workers’ Union and the IOOF; he also volunteered at the Vesterheim Norwegian – American Museum.

Jim enjoyed traveling with his wife, Evie and they made many trips around the Midwest, and trips to New York; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, San Diego and many trips to his mother’s home and ranch in and near Lusk, Wyo. Jim and Evie also made several trips to their daughters’ duty stations in Beaufort, S.C., Round Lake Beach, Ill., Charleston, S.C. and Kingsland, Ga. Jim and Evie pulled out the calendar and planned their visit to Yokosuka, Japan right after hearing about their daughter’s pending transfer to that duty station. Jim and Evie always were supportive of Rick and Kari’s military service including taking care of their granddaughters while Rick and Kari were both deployed with the Navy during Desert Storm.

Jim was a perennial remodeler and often could be found with a hammer or saw in his hand as he worked around his home or around the church. He also enjoyed making clocks, turning wooden bowls and making traditional Norwegian woodcrafts. Jim enjoyed going to auctions and estate sales and had an extensive collection of irons including charcoal and wood burning irons, gasoline and kerosene irons as well as early electric irons. He also collected “black glass” and purchased many china pieces at his wife’s request.

Left to cherish his memory are daughter Kari (Rick) Winters of Kingsland, Ga.; granddaughters Erin (Brian) Reynolds and Rachel Winters; grandson, Andrew Winters; great-granddaughter, Allison Reynolds; great-grandsons, Sean and Caleb Reynolds; along with many cousins and nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn, Dec. 3, 2012; his son, Michael, Sept. 4, 2012; and a great-granddaughter, Gabriella Reynolds.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Vesterheim Norwegian – American Museum, 523 W. Water St., Decorah, IA 52101.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.