Kenneth Anderson

Kenneth Albert Anderson, 71, owner of Country Lane Nursery, went home to be with the Lord on October 2, 2009, after a 9 month battle with cancer. Kenneth left this world surrounded by loved ones at his family homestead near Farwell, MN. Ken was born on January 23, 1938 in rural Farwell to Henry and Alveda Anderson. He attended the rural schoolhouse until 8th grade and graduated salutatorian from Kensington High School in 1956. After high school, Ken and his mother started the greenhouse at the family homestead. He learned more of the trade while working for Anderson?s Florist in Alexandria, before fully launching his own nursery and landscaping business which became known as Country Lane Nursery. On June 10, 1972, Ken married his beautiful bride, Pamela Foust. They lived in rural Farwell where they ran the family business and had five wonderful children together. He thoroughly enjoyed working with his family, taking memorable trips and getting to know new people. Ken loved to laugh and make others laugh. Always generous, he gave in so many ways, whether it was his time, his energy, his love, or his plants. He often put the needs and concerns of others ahead of his own. Ken was a dedicated follower of Christ and is leaving behind a legacy of faith, compassion and generosity. Ken was also very passionate about serving the Lord as a missionary to the Native Americans in Canada. He was a pioneer of the gospel to the Cree and Soto Indians in Northern Manitoba. He spent weeks at a time serving and ministering to his beloved ?brothers & sisters? who loved him in return. His times there shaped and molded the man that he became. You couldn?t spend an evening with Ken without him sharing a story about the life-impacting moments he had there. Ken had a passion for all things pertaining to the nursery business. He created a breathtaking paradise of hostas and plants in his yard; a sanctuary for his family and many others who stopped by to tour his gardens. Ken was a member of the National Hosta Society for many years and hybridized a number of his own varieties. As a part of the business, Ken and Pam opened their home to over 40 foreign exchange workers from many different countries. Ken always enjoyed the mutual learning experience that this opportunity afforded them. This past year was difficult in many ways, but Ken still lived his life to the fullest and never gave up. In his last days, Ken wrote these words to share with you, his dear family and friends: ?Thank you for your faithfulness and kindness. Thanks for all the things you?ve given to me and done for me. I love you all.? Ken is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pamela; his children and their spouses, Melody (Rolf) Brombacher of Crystal, MN, Luke (Tiffany) Anderson of Sauk Centre, MN, Wendy (Kurt) Kleespies of Forada, MN, Anna (Jeff) Pankratz of Alexandria, MN, and Gail (Tyler) Peterson of Moorhead, MN; eight grandchildren, Isaac, Benjamin, Josiah, Anja, Jacob, Lindyn, Justus, and Grace; brother, Dale (Janet) of Mound, MN, sister, Lois (Marlin) of Farwell, MN, brother-in-law, Ron Ramsden of Manitoba, Canada; aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and many other family and friends. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Alveda and sister, Betty and many other beloved family members. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at Living Waters in Alexandria with Dennis Backes officiating and Lauren Sansness being a reader. Music was provided by Kori Williams, Mary Anderson, Gilbert ?Street? North, Mike and Asenith Palmer, Nancy Thorstad, and Tim Swedberg. Interment was in Reno Mission Cemetery in Reno Township, Minnesota. Casket bearers were Luke Anderson, Rolf Brombacher, Kurt Kleespies, Jeff Pankratz, Tyler Peterson, and Dale Anderson. Honorary casket bearers were Gilbert ?Street? North, Marlin Anderson, and Ron Ramsden. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.