Andersen, Rev. Leo E.

The Rev. Leo E. Andersen, 71, died Wednesday morning, Feb. 23, 2011, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at Alice United Methodist Church, Center Point, where friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 8 a.m. to services Monday. Burial will be in the Troy Mills Cemetery.

Leo was born Dec. 20, 1939, near Viola, Iowa, the son of Edward and Fern M. (Price) Andersen. He was a 1958 graduate of Troy Mills High School, Troy Mills. On Aug. 12, 1961, he was married to Sharon (Sheri) Andersen in Troy Mills. The couple farmed in the Troy Mills area, and he was working toward his theology degree at St. Paul's Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. He served as pastor of the Alice United Methodist Church, Urbana United Methodist Church, Silver Creek United Methodist Church and the Rowley United Methodist Church. Leo and his family formed the Andersen Family plus Gospel Band performing at many venues in the area.

He is survived by his wife, the Rev. Sheri Andersen; six children, Julie (Jim) Sweers, Kanawha, Iowa, Michael (Tina) Andersen, Troy Mills, Joyce (Russell) Strabala, Lisbon, Matt (Beckie) Andersen and Marshall (Rebecca) Andersen, Independence, and Jolene (Matthew) Peters, North Augusta, S.C., 25 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jeanne (Gene) Carson, Troy Mills, and Wilma Perrin, Orient, Iowa; and a brother, Larry (Coleen) Andersen, Hopkinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, is in charge of arrangements.

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