L. Anderson

L. DeWayne “Duddy” Anderson was born on August 14, 1927, one of four children to Alden and Hildur (Hjelm) Anderson of rural Lowry, Minnesota. Duddy attended country school until 1938 when his family moved to Alexandria, where he continued his education and graduated from Alexandria High School in1945. While in high school, Duddy started what was to be a long career with the United States Postal Service at the Alexandria Post Office. On his eighteenth birthday he enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the military, Duddy served his country during WWII, the Korean War, and with the National Guard. After forty two years of service, Duddy was honorably discharged as Sergeant First Class E7. He worked for the United States Postal Service for thirty eight years, starting as a city clerk and carrier and spending the last twenty years as a rural mail carrier. He was a true believer in the motto, “The mail must get through”. To this day his sons remember missing school to help deliver mail during snow storms in the winter.

On June 12, 1949, Duddy married Ruby Anderson and together they raised five children. They lived in Alexandria until 1972, when they built a home near Lake Mary. During retirement they lived in various locations, including wintering in LaBelle, FL, until they moved to Evansville in 2012. Duddy was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for over 40 years, a treasurer of many organizations, and a member of the Lowry American Legion. Some of Duddy’s hobbies were bowling, golfing, fishing, puzzling and playing cards; his favorite game was pinochle. He loved all sports and was an avid Twin’s fan. During the 1950’s and 1960’s he umpired baseball and softball, using his loud voice to call balls, strikes, and “you’re out”! He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren while attending their sporting and church events. During retirement, Ruby and Duddy especially enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends.

On Wednesday, December 23, 2015, Duddy went to heaven at the age of eighty-eight, where he joined his beloved wife of sixty four years, Ruby; their son Keith; his brother Marvin. He is survived by his three sons, Bruce (Carol), their four children and ten grandchildren; Robert (Pat), their four children and nine grandchildren; Jeff (Peg), their two children; one daughter, Carol (Tim) DeLapp; Keith’s wife, Sue, and their three children and one grandchild; brother, Roger (Sandy) Anderson; sister, Gayle Pederson; sister-in-law Lois (Ronnie) Larson; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.