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  Randy William Anderson was born to Hazel and Bill Anderson on July 31, 1945, the youngest of three boys. As a child he lived in Lake Park, Iowa and was of German and Welsh heritage. In high school, Randy played baseball and football, while rising at 5 am every day to deliver bottled milk to the small town residents. He enlisted in the Army National Guard after high school graduation. He attended Estherville Junior College and completed his History Education degree at Mankato State University in 1968.

   Randy and his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Jean Pell, were united in marriage on August 18, 1968, two days after his college graduation. They moved to the Anoka area in the Twin Cities where he started working at Turnquist Paper Company. He went on to sell paper at Turnquist/Georgia-Pacific/Unisource for 35 years.

   Randy and Bonnie welcomed two children, Matthew and Nicole. They raised their family as members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, where Randy was a faithful steward and ushered for almost 30 years. The family spent considerable time at their cabin on Mule Lake in Longville, MN, where Randy’s motto was work til noon, then play the rest of the day. He enjoyed a good project, and loved boat rides, fishing, and water sports with the kids.  

   Randy and Bonnie were married 58 years; on his yearly anniversary, he always referred to those years as “marital bliss.” They enjoyed traveling, visiting 38 countries, all 50 states, and every presidential library/birthplace in the U.S. After retirement in 2003, the Andersons moved permanently to Longville, MN and spent winters in Fort Myers Beach, FL. In any locale, they were always up for a happy hour with friends. 

   Randy loved learning; he read book after book and often watched the History Channel, making him an ideal partner playing Trivia. He appreciated clever jokes and shared them enthusiastically. Randy was designated the “Soup King,” as he made a homemade soup every Saturday morning, collecting an entire binder of recipes. He was an avid investor in the stock market, often had his signature toothpick in his mouth, and entertained his grandkids with an impersonation of the Disney character Goofy. Randy was a loyal, honest, and generous man who leaves behind a loving legacy. 

   Randy passed away on July 29, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Hazel; brother Billy and sister Marney. He is survived by his loving wife, Bonnie; son Matthew Anderson (Michelle); daughter Nicole Ertel (Brad); grandchildren Madelyn and Christian Anderson, and Tate, Beckett, and Finn Ertel; brother Terry; sister-in-law Juliet Anderson; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Betty Pell; as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

   When you asked Randy how he was doing, he’d respond, “Right up there with wonderful!” And he lived that way for 81 years. 

   Funeral Service: Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 14501 Nowthen Blvd NW, Ramsey, MN 55303. Lunch to follow

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