Roy W. Anderson

Roy W. Anderson, 94, of Staples passed away November 20, 2016, at the Lakewood Health System Care Center, Staples.  

Memorial services will be held Monday, Dec. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Staples United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church.

Arrangements are with the Brenny Funeral Chapel, Staples.

Roy was born on a farm near Verndale on November 7, 1922 to Henry and Newell Anderson. He attended school in Verndale  graduating in 1942. He joined the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943, serving  three years during World War II. While home on leave Roy met Norma France of Staples and after a six week courtship, they were married in Great Bend, Kansas in 1944. He said the hardest point in his life was leaving Norma to return to military service in the South Pacific. After he was honorably discharged in 1946, Roy returned to Staples where they built their house and he and Norma lived throughout their life. He was employed by the Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern Railroad for 40 years as a switchman, and was known around the railyards as “Handy Andy”.

Roy enjoyed spending time with his family, building, repairing and puttering in his garage and yard, volunteering at church and showing off his dance skills. He enjoyed traveling and shared many memorable road trips and cruises with family and friends. 

Roy is survived by his wife of 72 years; two daughters, Terry (Dennis) Stolhanske, of New Hope and Toni (Doug) Case of Staples; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and brother-in-law, Walter France (Edwena), of Atlanta, GA. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; two infant brothers; in-laws Ray and Annie France and sister-in-law, Mickey Swanson. 

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