Andersen, Nile Clarke

Nile Clarke Andersen, 73, of rural Marion, died peacefully Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion. Memorial Service: 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, with military honors provided by American Legion Post 331 of Springville. The family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at the funeral home. Private family inurnment: Martin Creek Cemetery, rural Marion, at a later date.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Nelda; his daughters, Krista Andersen of Marion and Lisa (Steve) Coffin of Marion; his son, Eric Andersen of Spragueville; six grandchildren, Grant, Courtney, Conner and Mollie Coffin and Sadie and Kathryn Andersen; one great-granddaughter, Mya Coffin; sister, Janice (Jim) Crow of Marion; niece, June; and nephew, Jerry.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Nile was born Dec. 6, 1939, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Erwin and Georgia (Silver) Andersen. He was named after University of Iowa football legend Nile Clarke Kinnick. Nile graduated from Marion High School in 1958. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in Germany from 1963-1965. Nile married Nelda R. Schauf on Sept. 22, 1968, in Williamsburg. He was a farmer in rural Marion his entire life and worked for Asgrow Seed Co. Nile was a member of American Legion Post 331 of Springville.

Following a stroke in April 1993, Nile taught himself to write and draw left-handed. Many admired his pictures depicting memories of farm life. Nile was known for having a great memory regarding people, dates, and life events. He could also easily name the year, make, and model of cars and farm equipment. He enjoyed sitting on the front porch, the farm cats, and watching Westerns.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Nile's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Nile at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published Dec. 23, 2012 in The Gazette