Obituary of Leo B. Andersen

Leo B. Andersen, age 85 passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2013 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM, Saturday, June 22, 2013 at St. Columba Catholic Church in Mayfield, SD with Rev. Leonard Kayser officiating with the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard. Burial will be in the St. Columba Cemetery with military rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard, Yankton and the SDARNG, Sioux Falls. Visitations will be from 5-7 PM, Friday, June 21, 2013 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton with the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard and a 7 PM rosary followed by a video tribute and 7:30 Scripture service. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers are: Jeremy Andersen, Alexander Pippin, Devin Armentrout, Sarah Lynde, Mickenna Andersen, and Marissa Andersen. Honorary Pallbearers are: Austin Pippin, Glenn Andersen, Jr., Macyn Andersen, McKeely Andersen, Rebecca Pippin and Malea Andersen. Leo was born September 11, 1927 in Viborg, SD to Praven and Mary (Bauer) Andersen. He grew up in Turner County, SD and attended country school and graduated from Viborg High School in 1947. He continued his education in college at Helena, MT on a football scholarship. He served his country in the Signal Corp of the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1951 - 1952 and was honorably discharged for medical reasons. Leo married Glenna Strunk of Irene, SD on June 26, 1950 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton, SD and lived and farmed in the Viborg/Irene area for six years, where their first son, Wallace, was born in Yankton, before moving to Palatka, FL, seeking job opportunities amongst family living in the area. Sons, Glenn and Lance were next to join the family and traveled with Leo and Glenna to Tampa Bay, FL where he worked on vending machines for a company named A. R. A., and eventually settling in Orlando, FL where he worked as a salesmen in his own business selling paint for Mary Carter. He also worked as a mechanic on lawn mowers in his repair shop for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 50 years, reaching the rank of 4th Degree. He was a faithful navigator for many years and was currently a member of the Holy Rosary 4th Degree in Vermillion, SD. He helped start the Knights of Columbus in Palatka, FL in 1958. He enjoyed life and spending time with his family, traveling to new places in the U.S., camping or staying at hotels. He and Glenna were very active as members of the Danish/Norwegian/ Dancers. After retiring, he spent most of his time visiting with friends and family and playing pinochle and whist at home or the Senior Center and the Sacred Heart Card Club. Leo is survived by his wife, Glenna Jean of Yankton, SD; sons: Wallace Andersen of Orlando, FL, Glenn (Pamela) Andersen of Yankton, SD, and Lance (Jennifer) Andersen of Harrisburg, SD; eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and sister-in-law, Myrtle Andersen of Yankton, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, Praven & Mary (Bauer) Andersen; siblings: Carl Andersen, Andrew Andersen, Leslie Andersen, Francis Andersen, Genavive Weier, Adaline Morck, Grace Heirigs, Carrie Weier, Sylvia Dangel, and Goldie Hanson, Agnes Andersen, infant, Agnes Andersen, and daughter-in-law, Rose Andersen.