Lew Anderson

Lewis Bert Anderson, Jr., age 97½, passed away peacefully November 29, 2020 due to Covid-19 and complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was born April 12, 1923 in Washburn, North Dakota to Lewis and Martha Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Mary Frances Anderson.

Lewis graduated from Austin High School in Austin, MN in 1938 and earned a business degree from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN in 1943.

He was the High School National Swimming Champion in the 100yd Butterfly and swam and coached his way through college prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps during WW II. He flew 23 combat missions as a B-24 Liberator pilot from Grottaglie Field, Italy into Austria, Yugoslavia and southern Germany in 1945.

Upon his return from the war he married Stevana Sheila Braun on July 1, 1945 and raised seven children. Stevana passed away in 1977 and Lewis married Mary Frances White on May 2, 1982 and were married for 38 years upon his passing.

Lewis worked for New Holland Farm Machinery Co. his entire career. He and Mary were avid travelers, have seen most of the United States and have file drawers full of pictures and notes of their many adventures together. After retiring from New Holland, Lewis volunteered his time with many different groups, at times providing personal assistance to a disabled person, completing tax forms for disadvantaged citizens and (his favorite job – maybe ever) acting as a crossing guard at a local elementary school. He loved the kids he helped cross the street and they loved him.

Lewis is survived by his wife Mary, 6 children, 4 step children, 16 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife Stevana, son Matthew, brother Richard and sister Margaret.

Visitation will be held at 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with Rosary at 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 3rd at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 8311 W. 93rd Street, Overland Park, KS. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:30 pm on Friday, December 4th, 2020 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Overland Park, KS. Burial will follow the funeral service at Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, KS at 3:00 pm.

The family wants to thank all the nurses and staff that took such good care of Lewis at Good Samaritan Society in Olathe, KS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Holy Cross Catholic Church and Good Samaritan Society in Olathe.