Clifford Anderson

Clifford Anderson, age 87, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Friday (June 29th) at the Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday (July 2nd) at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with Lee Hoaas officiating. Interment will be in Broderheim Cemetery, rural Erskine. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Sunday (July 1st) at the United Methodist Church in Erskine. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Monday at Grace Lutheran Church. Military rites will be conducted by the Bailey-Throne American Legion Post #596 of Erskine and arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Erskine.Cliff was born February 23, 1920 in Badger Township near Erskine to Adolph & Caroline (Madson) Anderson. He lived with his parents on the farm, attending a rural school & Mentor School. Clifford entered the armed forces in January 1942. He was given an honorable discharge in 1946, after serving 3 years in World War II in the European Theatre and participating in the Battle of the Bulge.After his discharge, he returned to his homestead and farmed until 1952. He then worked for Garden Valley Telephone Company as a crew member until 1956. In January 1957, he began working for Continental Telephone in Warren, MN.In 1959, he married Roberta Hoaas of Erskine and became a loving father to six children. Of this marriage, a son was born, Bryan Jay, in 1961.After 25 years of service in the telephone company, he retired in 1982, returning to Erskine. He was an active member of the Erskine United Methodist Church, serving the Lord in numerous capacities. He was also an active member of the Bailey-Throne American Legion Post 596.Cliff loved spending time with his extensive family, including vacationing, celebrating holidays all together, and playing cards/games. Cliff will be remembered in so many ways. His life-long love of all types of music (a gift from his mother) included gospel, classical, opera, & country. His love of music carried over into his singing and playing the harmonica. He will forever be remembered by the sweet tunes he carried by whistling wherever he went. Cliff was well versed in World History and loved to share his knowledge. Cliff had a genuine love for all animals - this was displayed throughout his life from early days with farm animals to later years with household pets.Celebrating his life are children: Barbara (Steven) Gaalswyk of Erskine, Patricia (Larry) Sandberg of Roscoe, IL, Geraldine (Marcell) Rogalla of Detroit Lakes, Leland (Sherry) Hoaas of Erskine, Charlotte (Kurt) Krueger of Grand Rapids, Stephan Hoaas of Erskine, and Bryan (Sue) Anderson of Casper, WY, 18 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews also survive.He was proceeded in death by his wife Roberta in 1998, his parents, Adolph & Caroline, one brother Arthur, and two sisters, Muriel & Violet and grandson, Corey Rogalla.Honorary Pallbearers will be the Bailey-Throne American Legion Post #596 of Erskine, Eddie Horacek, Bert Brown, Jim Herdliska, Wilbur Nielson, Doug Hole, Bob Lerfald, Chester Benson, Jim Riedler, and Bud RiedlerActive Pallbearers will be Clifford's grandsons-Erik Sandberg, Josh Sandberg, Aaron Enerson, Darryl Enerson, Travis Anderson, and Jerrod Hoaas.