Ernest LeRoy Anderson, 87, of West Duluth, died of natural causes in his home. He was born on June 19, 1919, in Ashland, Wisc., to Ernest and Marie Anderson. Ernie attended Denfeld High School until the outbreak of World War II when he enlisted in the Merchant Marine. He graduated from Fort Trumbull U.S. Maritime Service Officer Candidate School in New London, Conn. He was a second officer in the Merchant Marine. Ernie docked at almost every port around the world during his time on the high seas and captivated anyone listening with many stories about his adventures and experiences. After the war, he attended Lake Superior College, achieving a Chief Engineering License. He married Elaine I. Anderson on Sept. 11, 1948. They were very active in Elim Lutheran Church and were wonderful parents to their son Bobby who was born the following year on Sept. 17, 1949. There were many visits during the holidays from Ernie's relatives in Minneapolis whom they loved entertaining. They also enjoyed memorable trips out to the lake to visit with Elaine's side of the family. Ernie enjoyed keeping in touch with his Swede/Finn relatives. His Scandinavian roots led him to competitive ski jumping when he was younger. Ernie took a wonderful trip to Sweden and Finland later in life with his brother's family in order to visit with his relatives and see the family homestead over there. What the relatives will remember was Ernie's infectious laugh, his resiliency during tough times and the pride that he felt being of Swedish/Finnish ancestry. Ernie went to work at the University of Minnesota- Duluth in 1947 as operating engineer. At the time of his retirement in 1983, he was Maintenance and Operations Supervisor. Following retirement he served as a consultant to UMD. Ernie was at UMD during a time of significant growth and was always proud to show off the buildings constructed during his time there. He worked well into the evening many nights and weekends and was always ready to drop everything for an emergency. He was well known to the UMD employees and students during his years there and had a greeting for everyone as they did for him. He was also a 32nd degree Mason. Preceding Ernie in death were his parents; his wife, Elaine (died 1985); son, Robert (died 1963) ; and his brothers, John Howard Anderson (died 1926) and James Eldon (Elde) Anderson (died 2005); and his cousin, Albert (Buck) Anderson (died 2003). Ernie is survived by his nieces, Lynn Anderson, Patti Anderson, Wendy Pickar; his nephew, Jim Peterson; brother-in-law, Richard A. Peterson, great nieces, Melissa Pickar and Kodi Peterson, great nephews, Timothy Patton, Steven Baissa, Kevin Pickar and Erik Peterson; his cousins, Kerstin Fried (and her extended family), MaryJane McElroy, Dorothy Mills, Janice White and Pat Cassidy; and goddaughter, Diane Rauschenfels. VISITATION:10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Funeral Service Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, in Bell Brothers Chapel. Pastor Jim K. Hagen officiating. Burial will be at Oneota Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard. Memorials are preferred to Elim Lutheran Church, Duluth.
Published in the Duluth News Tribune on 12/21/2006.