John T. Anderson

John Theodore Anderson, 92, of Mankato and formerly of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away December 18, 2020 at Ecumen Pathstone Living in Mankato.

Funeral will be in Thief River Falls, Minnesota and burial at Mount Hope Cemetery in St. James, Minnesota at a later date. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family.

John T. was born September 13, 1928 in St. James, Minnesota to Emil Theodore Anderson and Ruth Antonia Anderson.  He attended School in St. James and later moved to Seattle, Washington where he graduated from Garfield High School.

John T. married Janette Hudson March 14, 1950.  He served in the National Guard from 1950 to 1953 where he was a wire team chief in Btry A 125th FA Bn in Korea.  He received the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal, bronze svc star and UN Service Medal with 2 SCC ribbons. He spent 6 months in Japan receiving training on chemical biological monitoring equipment.  After his military service he returned to St. James where he worked as a lineman.  He then took a leave of absence to work as a lineman in Iceland for a private contractor.  This is where John T. learned the art of burying electric wiring underground and was noted for that during his lifetime.  The John T. Anderson Substation in Thief River Falls was dedicated to him in 1999.

John T. worked in Sioux Center, Iowa for a short time and then moved to Worthington, Minnesota where he eventually became Superintendent of Utilities.  In 1971, he moved to Thief River Falls, Minnesota where he was also Superintendent of Utilities. He also worked for the Northern Municipal Power Agency where he was President.  He received the MMUA President's Award, the highest award from the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association.

John T. was Commander of the VFW Post 3958, a member of the Lions Club, Masons, Shriner, a City Councilman, and member of the Hospital Board. He loved to fish at Lake of the Woods, trim trees, work on the riverbank, and spend time with his family. He was a forward thinker, charismatic guy, with an undaunting positive optimistic attitude. One word to describe John T. would be honorable!

John suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and later moved to Mankato, Minnesota and resided at Ecumen Pathstone where he was lovingly cared for the rest of his life.

Survivors include his children, Candace (Neil) Malmquist of North Mankato, Debbra (Steve) Jacobs of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, John (Linda) Anderson of Andover, Minnesota, and James (Mary Jo) Anderson of Thief River Falls, Minnesota; granddaughters, Stephanie Loesch, Stacy Halverson, Nichole Malmquist, Alicia Tanner and Laura Norland;  great-grandchildren, Tyler and Connor VanderKooi, Jackson and William Halverson, Carter, Max and Walker Loesch, Jaxson and Kendall Tanner, and Halle and Harper Norland; and sister-in-law, Gloria Anderson of Seattle, Washington.

He was preceded in death by his wife; Janette of 65 years; parents; grandson, Timothy John Jacobs; great-grandson, Jacob Timothy Loesch; sister, Kathleen Solie; and brothers, Paul and James Anderson.

We will miss his quick wit and sense of humor. RIP John T. Best To Be.