Walter “Swede” Anderson , age 85, of 8630 N. 75th Lane , Gladstone , MI passed away Thursday morning, February 19, 2009 at the St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba after a lengthy illness with cancer.

Walter was born March 24, 1923 in Ensign, the son of August and Sanna (West) Anderson . He was raised in Ensign and he attended the Alton School in Ensign. Walter helped his father manage the family farm where he helped plant, cultivate and harvested the wheat, oats and hay. He also helped with the breeding and care of the dairy cattle.

Walter served his country in the U.S. Army with the 397th Infantry Regiment in the European Theater of operations for 20 month’s during WW II. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and he was awarded the distinguished Purple Heart.

Upon his return from service, Walter worked construction in Milwaukee and later returned to Gladstone where he worked for the Buckeye Mill.

Walter was united in marriage to the former Lillian Maki in January of 1949 and they made their home in Gladstone where they raised their 9 children. Walter went on to work for the Harnischfeger Corporation in Escanaba as a welder from 1957 until its closure.

Walter was Lutheran by faith and he was a member of the Rapid River American Legion Post #301 and the All Saints Smear League. His hobbies included playing horseshoes, hunting, fishing and growing a big garden every year. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include;

7 sons: Richard (Lori) Anderson of Gladstone; Robert (Debbie) Anderson of Gladstone; Rodney (Molly) Anderson of Hustisford , WI; Tim Anderson of Kingsford , MI; Jeff (Lynne) Anderson of Pataskala , OH; Jerry Anderson of Gladstone; Randy Anderson of Gladstone

1 daughter: Sandra (James) Gunville of Gladstone

4 sisters: Gladys Maahs of Hartford , WI; Bertha ( Sidney ) Nechy of Milwaukee , WI; Elenore Loocke of Culver City , CA; Anna Mae Anderson of Kipling

18 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews

In addition to his parents and wife, Lillian, Walter was preceded in death by;

Son: Roger Anderson

3 sisters: Ruth Martin, Elsie Olson, Sadie Cartwright

4 brothers: Albin, John, Bob and Roy Anderson

The Anderson family will receive friends on Sunday February 22, 2009 from 2:00 to 4:45 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone . Rapid River American Legion Post #301 Military Rites will follow at 4:45 PM . Funeral services celebrating the life of Walter “Swede” Anderson will follow at 5:00 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Jonathan Schmidt of the First Lutheran Church officiating. Luncheon will follow at the Delta Pub in Gladstone . Burial will be in the Fernwood Cemetery in the spring of 2009.