Obituary of Darrell Lawrence Anderson

Darrell Lawrence Anderson passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14, 2013 in Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife of 58 years, Mary Ann, their children and spouses, and his grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, April 19, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories. Visitations will begin at 5:00 PM, Thursday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a video tribute and Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume prior to the service at the church. Darrell was born in Yankton on November 5, 1928 to Iner E. and Katherine (Keller) Anderson. He lived in Fairfax, SD and moved to Yankton with his family in 1930. He attended Sacred Heart School and Yankton High School, and graduated in 1946. He then attended Yankton College, where he graduated with a degree in business in 1950. Also in 1950, he was called into the service of his country with the SD National Guard, Company C 196th Infantry Regiment, during the Korean Conflict. He served a tour of duty in Alaska, and was honorably discharged in 1953. He eloped with Mary Ann Boyles to Hastings, NE where they were married on June 15, 1954. During his career, Darrell was a partner with his brother, Donald E. Anderson, in the Pure Ice Company (The Ice House), Anderson Liquors (the Pub), and Anderson Rentals. He retired in 1993. Darrell had a deep faith and was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Parish. He was also a 62 year member of the Elks Lodge, and a member of the Moose Lodge. Darrell loved sports, by participating when he was younger, and then later by officiating. He was a football and basketball referee for many years, and he was a charter member of the SD Umpire Association. One of Darrell's great joys was attending school reunions to see old friends; he attended Sacred Heart school and high school reunions well into his 80's. In July 2012, he was greatly honored to be named Mr. Greyhound at the Yankton College All-Class Reunion. He also loved attending reunions of his National Guard unit; in 2002 he helped to plan and organize the Guard reunion which was held in Yankton. Darrell loved playing cards, especially with his monthly poker club which met regularly up until his final illness, and bowling. He especially loved to see and visit with family and friends near and far - he looked forward to family reunions, get togethers of any kind, and local visits. Darrell often said how much he, and his father before him, loved Yankton - he thought it was the best place in the world to live. We know that was because of his family and his dear friends. In addition to Mary Ann, Darrell is survived by his children, grandchildren and a new great grandson: Michael (Connie) Anderson of Metamora, IL, Joshua, Kayleigh and Keller; Patrick (Valerie) Anderson of Vermillion, SD, Jordan, Ashley, Greg, Jade, Nicholas and Maddox; Jane (Donald) Munger of West Salem, WI, Hannah, Laura and Ian; and Christopher (Alejandro Aristizabal) Anderson of Washington, DC. He is also survived by his brother Richard (Christine) Anderson of Yankton, SD and his sister Elaine (Neil) Jones of Littleton, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Donald. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Special Olympics - Yankton Area, P. O. Box 864, Yankton, SD 57078, and Sacred Heart Elementary School, 509 Capital Street, Yankton, SD 57078.