Anderson, Paul Edward

Paul Edward Anderson, 92, of Vinton, went peacefully to God's House Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the Hospice Center at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vinton, with Pastor Mark C. Urlaub leading the celebration. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Vinton.

Paul is survived by his wife of 65 years, Helen Anderson; his children, Karen and Michael Barnotes, Judy Tooley and Steven Anderson; his grandchildren, Casey Paul and Lindsay Prince, Salim Paul Abed, Jackie Anderson and Jake and Beth Anderson; and his great-grandchildren, Shae Rich, Eloise and Phoebe Prince.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albin and Anna Anderson; his brother, Carl Arvid Anderson; and his sisters, Evelyn Kail, Helen Nelson and Alice Geyman.

Paul was born Jan. 27, 1921, and grew up on a farm in Stratford, Iowa, speaking Swedish and working with his siblings on the family farm, milking cows and sharing chores. He drove all of his peers to high school in his father's Whip-It and played basketball in the state tournament before working in an airplane factory in Anaheim and joining the Air Corps, navigating B-52's across the country for three years. He went to Coe College on the GI Bill, where he met his future bride, who asked him to the Christmas Dance. They eloped on May 10, 1947, shortly before her graduation. They settled in Vinton, where he worked as a carpenter/jack-of-all trades for the first year, holding hands with Helen in choir practice at Bethlehem Lutheran. He worked at Northwestern Bell for 25 years, helping with conversion to the dial system. He retired several times before returning to his roots to farm and play with horses in Benton County.

In 1983, he had the first of two open heart surgeries, surviving for three more decades to enjoy his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the Cardinals. He traveled with his wife to Sweden to visit his cousins, Alaska, Michigan, and many times to California to see his baby grandson, Casey; sister, Evelyn; and grandson, Salim singing, and Crab Louie at Scoma's.

Throughout his life he enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren to fish, avidly following the Vinton Vikings and Hawkeyes, square dancing with Helen, playing golf with his daughter, Karen, every Thursday until he was 88, playing cards with friends and never passing up a table of friends or strangers with a pot of coffee and good conversation.

Paul was and will continue to be a shinning example of a believing Christian man to his family and community. He will be sorely missed but we will carry him in our hearts.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Paul and his family.

Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.

Published April 21, 2013 in The Gazette