Neil Raymond Anderson, 85, of Forman, ND passed away February 6, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society, Oakes, ND. He was born September 21, 1935 in Sargent County rural Forman to Axel and Bertha (Lee) Anderson. He attended school in Dunbar Township, Forman, and Gwinner, ND. Neil was baptized, confirmed, and a member of Trinity Lutheran where he served on the Church Council. At age 18, Neil volunteered for the US Army and served in Korea. After his discharge in 1956, he ran the Mobil station in Forman.
In July 1957, he married Elaine Nelson. Theirs is a love story that has inspired family and so many others for more than 6 decades. They lived in St. Paul, MN and Wahpeton, ND for a few years before returning to Forman. Neil enrolled under the GI Bill at NDSS in 1959 and graduated with a degree in Auto Body in 1961. He worked for a short time at a body shop in Hillsboro before moving back to Forman and starting Anderson Body Shop which he ran for more than 40 years. He befriended many of his long-time customers and was known for taking great pride in the quality of his work. Neil valued family, friends, his loyal customers, and Forman.
He was a dedicated public servant for the city of Forman and the greater community. He served on the Forman City Council from 1968-1976 and then was privileged to be elected Mayor of Forman for 24 years. He was a volunteer fireman, Lion's member, Sargent County Ambulance driver, and was always up for helping with projects to better the community for those that live here.
Neil had a passion for travel, never missing an opportunity to tell his kids to "sit up and enjoy the scenery" during the family's many car trips to the West Coast, where he had lived with his parents from 1935-1939. He enjoyed camping, smelting, snowmobiling, Twins Camp In's, and vacations to Yellowstone, Black Hills, Glacier, Custer Battlefield, and anywhere his kids lived.
Neil is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine; their five children: Peggy (Brian) Johnson, Brenda (Michael) Welsch, Carole Anderson, Bryan Anderson, Nancy (Todd) Brockmann. Neil and Elaine have been blessed with 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; sister, Beverly Jean Brickzin, brother, Carl (Shelly) Anderson; sisters-in-law: Mavis Morgan, Joyce (Tom) Nichols; brothers-in-law: LeRoy (Ann) Nelson, Dennis (Ginger) Nelson, and 33 nieces and nephews; and godchildren.
Neil is preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Bertha (Lee) Anderson; 5 children that he and Elaine lost to prematurity, including infants Robert Allen and Neille Alaine; and siblings Betty Johnson Hewitt (Wayne Johnson; Stan Hewitt), Robert Anderson, Larry (Doc) Nelson, George Morgan, Cliff Nelson, Orville and Lila Nelson; godchild Carolyn Nichols Halverson; and in laws Dorthea and Axel Nelson.
In September of 2020, COVID-19 struck both Neil and Elaine. While the virus ravaged their bodies, it did not weaken their bond and the love they have for one another. They were roommates in the hospital for 2 weeks in Sanford-Fargo and then upon recovery, Neil moved to the Good Samaritan Society in October 2020.
A public visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a private family funeral at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Forman, ND. Masks are required for anyone in attendance. Burial will be at the Forman City Cemetery.
In July 1957, he married Elaine Nelson. Theirs is a love story that has inspired family and so many others for more than 6 decades. They lived in St. Paul, MN and Wahpeton, ND for a few years before returning to Forman. Neil enrolled under the GI Bill at NDSS in 1959 and graduated with a degree in Auto Body in 1961. He worked for a short time at a body shop in Hillsboro before moving back to Forman and starting Anderson Body Shop which he ran for more than 40 years. He befriended many of his long-time customers and was known for taking great pride in the quality of his work. Neil valued family, friends, his loyal customers, and Forman.
He was a dedicated public servant for the city of Forman and the greater community. He served on the Forman City Council from 1968-1976 and then was privileged to be elected Mayor of Forman for 24 years. He was a volunteer fireman, Lion's member, Sargent County Ambulance driver, and was always up for helping with projects to better the community for those that live here.
Neil had a passion for travel, never missing an opportunity to tell his kids to "sit up and enjoy the scenery" during the family's many car trips to the West Coast, where he had lived with his parents from 1935-1939. He enjoyed camping, smelting, snowmobiling, Twins Camp In's, and vacations to Yellowstone, Black Hills, Glacier, Custer Battlefield, and anywhere his kids lived.
Neil is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine; their five children: Peggy (Brian) Johnson, Brenda (Michael) Welsch, Carole Anderson, Bryan Anderson, Nancy (Todd) Brockmann. Neil and Elaine have been blessed with 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; sister, Beverly Jean Brickzin, brother, Carl (Shelly) Anderson; sisters-in-law: Mavis Morgan, Joyce (Tom) Nichols; brothers-in-law: LeRoy (Ann) Nelson, Dennis (Ginger) Nelson, and 33 nieces and nephews; and godchildren.
Neil is preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Bertha (Lee) Anderson; 5 children that he and Elaine lost to prematurity, including infants Robert Allen and Neille Alaine; and siblings Betty Johnson Hewitt (Wayne Johnson; Stan Hewitt), Robert Anderson, Larry (Doc) Nelson, George Morgan, Cliff Nelson, Orville and Lila Nelson; godchild Carolyn Nichols Halverson; and in laws Dorthea and Axel Nelson.
In September of 2020, COVID-19 struck both Neil and Elaine. While the virus ravaged their bodies, it did not weaken their bond and the love they have for one another. They were roommates in the hospital for 2 weeks in Sanford-Fargo and then upon recovery, Neil moved to the Good Samaritan Society in October 2020.
A public visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a private family funeral at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Forman, ND. Masks are required for anyone in attendance. Burial will be at the Forman City Cemetery.
Neil Raymond Anderson, 85, of Forman, ND passed away February 6, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society, Oakes, ND. He was born September 21, 1935 in Sargent County rural Forman to Axel and Bertha (Lee) Anderson. He attended school in Dunbar Township, Forman, and Gwinner, ND. Neil was baptized, confirmed, and a member of Trinity Lutheran where he served on the Church Council. At age 18, Neil volunteered for the US Army and served in Korea. After his discharge in 1956, he ran the Mobil station in Forman.
In July 1957, he married Elaine Nelson. Theirs is a love story that has inspired family and so many others for more than 6 decades. They lived in St. Paul, MN and Wahpeton, ND for a few years before returning to Forman. Neil enrolled under the GI Bill at NDSS in 1959 and graduated with a degree in Auto Body in 1961. He worked for a short time at a body shop in Hillsboro before moving back to Forman and starting Anderson Body Shop which he ran for more than 40 years. He befriended many of his long-time customers and was known for taking great pride in the quality of his work. Neil valued family, friends, his loyal customers, and Forman.
He was a dedicated public servant for the city of Forman and the greater community. He served on the Forman City Council from 1968-1976 and then was privileged to be elected Mayor of Forman for 24 years. He was a volunteer fireman, Lion's member, Sargent County Ambulance driver, and was always up for helping with projects to better the community for those that live here.
Neil had a passion for travel, never missing an opportunity to tell his kids to "sit up and enjoy the scenery" during the family's many car trips to the West Coast, where he had lived with his parents from 1935-1939. He enjoyed camping, smelting, snowmobiling, Twins Camp In's, and vacations to Yellowstone, Black Hills, Glacier, Custer Battlefield, and anywhere his kids lived.
Neil is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine; their five children: Peggy (Brian) Johnson, Brenda (Michael) Welsch, Carole Anderson, Bryan Anderson, Nancy (Todd) Brockmann. Neil and Elaine have been blessed with 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; sister, Beverly Jean Brickzin, brother, Carl (Shelly) Anderson; sisters-in-law: Mavis Morgan, Joyce (Tom) Nichols; brothers-in-law: LeRoy (Ann) Nelson, Dennis (Ginger) Nelson, and 33 nieces and nephews; and godchildren.
Neil is preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Bertha (Lee) Anderson; 5 children that he and Elaine lost to prematurity, including infants Robert Allen and Neille Alaine; and siblings Betty Johnson Hewitt (Wayne Johnson; Stan Hewitt), Robert Anderson, Larry (Doc) Nelson, George Morgan, Cliff Nelson, Orville and Lila Nelson; godchild Carolyn Nichols Halverson; and in laws Dorthea and Axel Nelson.
In September of 2020, COVID-19 struck both Neil and Elaine. While the virus ravaged their bodies, it did not weaken their bond and the love they have for one another. They were roommates in the hospital for 2 weeks in Sanford-Fargo and then upon recovery, Neil moved to the Good Samaritan Society in October 2020.
A public visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a private family funeral at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Forman, ND. Masks are required for anyone in attendance. Burial will be at the Forman City Cemetery.
In July 1957, he married Elaine Nelson. Theirs is a love story that has inspired family and so many others for more than 6 decades. They lived in St. Paul, MN and Wahpeton, ND for a few years before returning to Forman. Neil enrolled under the GI Bill at NDSS in 1959 and graduated with a degree in Auto Body in 1961. He worked for a short time at a body shop in Hillsboro before moving back to Forman and starting Anderson Body Shop which he ran for more than 40 years. He befriended many of his long-time customers and was known for taking great pride in the quality of his work. Neil valued family, friends, his loyal customers, and Forman.
He was a dedicated public servant for the city of Forman and the greater community. He served on the Forman City Council from 1968-1976 and then was privileged to be elected Mayor of Forman for 24 years. He was a volunteer fireman, Lion's member, Sargent County Ambulance driver, and was always up for helping with projects to better the community for those that live here.
Neil had a passion for travel, never missing an opportunity to tell his kids to "sit up and enjoy the scenery" during the family's many car trips to the West Coast, where he had lived with his parents from 1935-1939. He enjoyed camping, smelting, snowmobiling, Twins Camp In's, and vacations to Yellowstone, Black Hills, Glacier, Custer Battlefield, and anywhere his kids lived.
Neil is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elaine; their five children: Peggy (Brian) Johnson, Brenda (Michael) Welsch, Carole Anderson, Bryan Anderson, Nancy (Todd) Brockmann. Neil and Elaine have been blessed with 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren; sister, Beverly Jean Brickzin, brother, Carl (Shelly) Anderson; sisters-in-law: Mavis Morgan, Joyce (Tom) Nichols; brothers-in-law: LeRoy (Ann) Nelson, Dennis (Ginger) Nelson, and 33 nieces and nephews; and godchildren.
Neil is preceded in death by his parents, Axel and Bertha (Lee) Anderson; 5 children that he and Elaine lost to prematurity, including infants Robert Allen and Neille Alaine; and siblings Betty Johnson Hewitt (Wayne Johnson; Stan Hewitt), Robert Anderson, Larry (Doc) Nelson, George Morgan, Cliff Nelson, Orville and Lila Nelson; godchild Carolyn Nichols Halverson; and in laws Dorthea and Axel Nelson.
In September of 2020, COVID-19 struck both Neil and Elaine. While the virus ravaged their bodies, it did not weaken their bond and the love they have for one another. They were roommates in the hospital for 2 weeks in Sanford-Fargo and then upon recovery, Neil moved to the Good Samaritan Society in October 2020.
A public visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2021 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a private family funeral at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Forman, ND. Masks are required for anyone in attendance. Burial will be at the Forman City Cemetery.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
