Obit: Anderson, Howard (1912 - 1971)

Contact: Linda Mertens
Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Anderson, Amo, Pendergast, Lindahl, Petzold, Berglund, Gebert, Pernsteiner, Rinehart, Sandsnes, White, Hadenfeldt, Bucklie, Brusten

----Source - Anna Johnson's Scrapbook

Howard Anderson (11 Oct 1912 - Apr 1971)

Howard J. Anderson, 58, Medford resident who had been missing since Thursday, April 8, was found dead Saturday, May 1 about 4 miles north of Medford off the Soo Line railroad right-of-way. An apparent suicide victim, the man died of a gunshot wound in the head, a .22 caliber pistol found beside the body, according to coroner James Amo, Medford.

The body was sighted by a Soo Line freight train engineer, Ray Pendergast, Stevens Point. He noticed what appeared to be a person approximately 80 feet from the tracks and under a tree. He radioed back to the caboose, but brakemen failed to notice the body. The engineer then stopped the train and backed up to the spot where the body was discovered. The engineer sounded the train horn to alert a property holder nearby, Walter “Butch” Lindahl who summoned authorities.

When Mr. Anderson was reported missing, city and county authorities headed up organized searches, including the use of dogs and aircraft. He had been in ill health.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at United Church of Christ, Medford, with Rev. Milton Petzold officiating. Burial took place in Evergreen cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Medford American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts.

Serving as pallbearers were Charles W. Berglund, Jr., John Gebert, Lawrence Pernsteiner, Charles Rinehart, Alf Sandsnes and Alfred “Pete” White.

Howard James Anderson was born October 11, 1912, in the town of Greenwood and he received his education in area public schools. He was married February 5, 1944, at Junction City, Ka., to Lois Hadenfeldt.

He was employed by Hurd Millwork Corp. until he entered the armed service in 1943 during World War II. He returned to Hurd Millwork after the war. Mr. Anderson was an officer in the Hurd Credit Union and served as steward of the local union and he was a member of the VFW post. He was a member of United Church of Christ congregation.

Survivors include Mrs. Lois Anderson; a son, Roy, Bartlett, Ill.; a daughter, Myrna, Mrs. Walter Bucklie, Burlington; a grandchild, and three brothers, Don and Morrie Anderson and Art Brusten all of Medford. He was preceded in death by two sisters.