RIP Grandpa

My Grandpa Anderson passed away on January 25th. He is the first grandparent of mine to pass away. I really didn't know him well - but I do know that he was a strict man. He is definitely in a better place. His mind was pretty much gone & had been living in a nursing home for quite some time. All of his siblings have passed away - so I bet the reunion in heaven was sweet. I liked hearing at the funeral that when he woke his children up every morning he would say, "Rise & shine! We have a million things to do today!" I also enjoyed hearing that he was sleeping in my dad's bed one night at 3:00 AM when my dad decided to sneak back into the house after hanging out with friends. What goes around comes around I guess. My dad spoke at his funeral & did a really good job & painted a good picture of his dad. He mentioned that his dad NEVER complained. That is interesting to me. I complain WAY to much - I've already complained today that I have a headache. Maybe not complaining is something I could work on. He loved fishing & he loved livestock shows.

He was a WWII Veteran. Something that I find mind blowing. I can't imagine the things he experienced or saw. At his funeral there was a gun salute & Taps was played. It was a neat thing to be able to experience.

TO: Private First Class KEITH H. ANDERSON, 39922451 APO #36, U. S. Army

“Under the provisions of Army Regulations 600-456, you are awarded a Silver Star for gallantry in action.”...

KEITH H. ANDERSON, 39922451, Private First Class, Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, for gallantry in action on 7 March 1945 in France. Private First Class Anderson volunteered to make a one-man night reconnaissance to determine the condition of both banks of an important river. His task was rendered extremely hazardous by enemy flares which illuminated the area, by harassing rifle fire, and by the presence of hostile machine gun positions and German patrols in the vicinity. Although fully conscious of the dangers involved, he waded across the ice, swift flowing stream, secured the necessary information concerning the terrain, and returned, swimming most of the way back. By his daring initiative and outstanding bravery, he furnished information which contributed materially to the success of future operations. Entered the Service from Tremonton, Utah.


JOHN E. DAHLQUIST
Major General, U.S. Army
Commanding


Here is his obituary.

Keith H. Anderson 89, died Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at George Wahlen Veterans Nursing Home in Ogden, Utah after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Keith was born April 3, 1922 in Bothwell, Utah. He was the last survivor of 13 children born to Eli Carl Anderson and Sarah Ellen “Ella” Hunsaker. He graduated from Bear River High School in 1940 where he excelled in FFA, exhibiting livestock throughout the state.

He served in the U. S. Army during World War II and was in combat in Italy, France & Germany. He was awarded the Silver Star for successfully completing a dangerous reconnaissance mission, swimming the Moder River in Germany into enemy territory where he got vital information for the advancement of the troops. He received two Purple Hearts for wounds inflicted in France and Italy.

He married Cloe Truman on the 30 January 1946 in the Logan Temple. They began their married life on the Utah-Idaho border near Strevell, Idaho breaking up sagebrush to raise dry land wheat. There they began their family in addition to raising cattle and turkeys. They moved to Bothwell in 1954 and continued raising children, farming, livestock and turkeys. He worked for the Federal Land Bank Association where he was the manager. He loved working with the farmers and visiting with them.

He loved agriculture and was a 4-H leader for over 40 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, sports, the phone and traveling with his wife.

He was very active in the LDS church serving as a Branch President and Bishop. He and Cloe served a mission to the Florida Jacksonville Mission. They also were temple officiators for 14 years in the Logan Temple. He is survived by his loving, supportive wife, Cloe; Kent (Kathy); Hal (Brooke); Dale; Ted (Ida); Julia Christenson; Helen Whiting (Roy); Don (Kim); and Marchelle Nielson (Justin). 29 Grandchildren, 46 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great Great Grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings: Vesta, Maurine, Maurice, Reed, Ray, Carlyle, Dorothy, Max, Dean, Verl, Eloise & Gerald.

Viewings will be held 6-8 p.m., Sunday 29 January 2012, and 30 January 2012, 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Funeral Services will begin 11:00 a.m. All services will be held at the Fielding Stake Center 4375 W. 15600 N. Fielding, Utah. Interment will be at the Valley View Cemetery (Bothwell, Utah).The family is very grateful for the kindness and services rendered by the Wahlen Veterans Nursing Home staff and care givers.