Chris Andersen

Chris Andersen, 98, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away June 8, 2009, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.

Chris P. Andersen was born April 20, 1911, in Audubon County, Iowa, the son of Kris P. and Johanna M. (Hansen) Andersen. He was baptized and confirmed in the Bethany Lutheran Church, north of Kimballton, Iowa.

On January 31, 1934, he married Mabel Petersen in Elk Horn, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Robert, Verlee and Dale.

He farmed in the Elk Horn area until 1957, when they moved into town, and he was employed by the town of Elk Horn. Chris and Mabel moved to Atlantic in 1965, where he was employed by Walnut Grove, KJAN, and the Atlantic State Bank. Mabel passed away in 1973, and he continued to live in their home, until becoming a resident of the Heritage House in 2002.

Chris enjoyed working in his own garden, as well as helping other gardeners. He donated his time gardening at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and KJAN. He rarely turned down a trip to go for a drive and do some sight seeing. Chris also enjoyed his Saturday morning breakfast time at Van's Chat & Chew.

He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and a past member of the Danish Brotherhood.

Chris is survived by his daughter, Verlee Johnson of Atlantic, Iowa; his son, Dale Andersen and his wife, Nancy of Princeton, Illinois; 8 grandchildren; a step-grandson; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-granddaughters; 3 great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Elmer Andersen of Avoca, IA; his daughter-in-law, Marg Nelson of Elk Horn, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and numerous friends, who helped him when family was not able to be there.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel; son, Robert Eugene in 1975; grandson, Bobby Jr. in 1978; granddaughters, Renee Johnson Tucker in 1988 and Deborah Andersen Forrester in 2002; brother, Hans Andersen and his wife, Sylvia; daughter-in-law, Dona Hansen Andersen in 1975; son-in-law, Ray L. Johnson in 1999; and sister-in-law, Mildred Andersen.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 12, 2009, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with the Reverend Dennis Meyer officiating. Immediately following the funeral service the family invites you to join them for a luncheon in the church fellowship hall.

Burial will be at 1:30 p.m., in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery in Elk Horn, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 11, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.