Arnold D. Anderson

Arnold Dale Anderson was born on December 18, 1928 to James & Gertrude (Samo) Anderson in Estherville, Iowa. He was baptized in Gruver, Iowa and attended country schools in Pilot Grove and later Brush Creek, where he attended Bricelyn High School and Blue Earth High Schools. He worked as a gas station attendant, at Hertel Motors, followed a threshing run through the Dakotas, was an ice man & worked at Streater manufacturing, before he began farming on the family farm at Brush Creek in 1950. He farmed until his retirement in 1990. Arnold was married to Darlene Bachtle on July 6, 1952 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. To this union three sons were born: Randy, Brian and Bruce. From a previous marriage there were two children: James and Kathleen. From these five children he was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Arnold attended the Presbyterian Church and later joined North Blue Earth Lutheran Church following his marriage. During his lifetime he was involved with horses. He raced thoroughbred horses on racing circuits throughout the Midwest and Kentucky. He belonged to the Saddles Club in Elmore, Border League, Winnebago, Albert Lea, the Region II Quarter Horse Association and American Quarter Horse Association. He was a licensed horse trainer for many years. He rode his first pony, King, to country school in Pilot Grove. His love of horses remained with him all his life. He had registered quarter horses and Tennessee walkers which he showed at many horse shows throughout the United States following his racing career. His best quarter horse, "Imprimus Arnie" won third place at the World Quarter Horse Finals in Oklahoma City, Ok.Arnold had a pilot''s license and enjoyed flying his Cherokee Piper to his cabin in Baudette, MN where he enjoyed fishing for northern & walleye on the Lake of the Woods. Fishing was on of Arnie''s favorites pastimes. He fished with his family & friends at favorite spots in the United States, Canada and Northern Ireland. In later years he enjoyed fishing at his own, stocked, farm pond. Arnie''s love of animals was with him all his life. He raised geese, swans and many other water fowl from many different countries, including China and Afghanistan He also raised cattle, sheep & hogs.Arnold''s greatest love was his wife, family, friends and neighbors. He is survived by his wife, Darlene of rural Bricelyn, daughter, Kathleen Haase of Blue Earth, sons: James (& Jean) Anderson of Watertown, SD, Randy (& Pam) Anderson of Frost, Brian (& Kristy) Anderson of Frost and Bruce (& Becky) Anderson of Blue Earth. Also surviving are his brother, Ellis Anderson of Blue Earth, sister-in-law, Gladys Anderson of Blue Earth, brothers-in-law: Arliss (& Maxine) Bachtle of Albert Lea, Gary (& Molly) Bachtle of Northwood, IA, Lanny (& Joan) Bachtle of Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 20 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and many nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother- Melvin Anderson, sister-in-law, Grace Anderson, and a great granddaughter- Rachael Michelle Steffensmeier.