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R. Andersen, age 93, of Marion, ND died Monday, February 6th. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM February 16th at Marion Lutheran Church, Marion, ND. Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 15th from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Lerud Schuldt Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City and one hour before the service at the church on Thursday morning. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery near Marion in the spring.
Irvin Andersen, the son of Minius and Anna (Jensen) Anderson, was born August 21, 1923 on the family farm in Prairie Township of LaMoure County, ND. Irvin grew up and attended rural school in Prairie Township and later attended Marion High School where he graduated top of class in 1940. Irvin studied civil engineering at North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) until his education was interrupted by World War II. Irvin returned to the family farm near Marion, ND where he lived and farmed with horses and then tractors. After he got one of the first Farmhand loaders in the area he cleared snow from the ice rink. Proud of North Dakota products, he gladly demonstrated his Steiger tractors for Peter Simpson’s book series, Ultimate Tractor Power, and The Toy Farmer’s Steiger film series, 4WD Tractor Pioneers.
Irvin was the proud owner of the farm purchased and established by his father on June 1, 1916. On June 8, 1957 he was united in marriage to Margaret Anne Schultz. The couple lived on the family farm where they raised Registered Hereford cattle, hogs, hay, wheat, oats, barley, rye, sunflowers, corn, and soybeans under the Andersen Grain and Livestock Brand. Irvin had the first field in the LaMoure/Barnes County area to be sprayed by an aerial applicator. Irvin was named NDSU Agriculturist of the year for LaMoure County.
In his spare time, Irvin enjoyed playing independent basketball and officiating local basketball games. As a young man, Irvin toured the Western States visiting family and friends driving Route 66 before it became a tourist trap. Irvin enjoyed listening to the Indy 500 race every year and once drove on unpaved roads to see the race. Irvin and Margaret traveled to many locations across North America for both business and pleasure.
Irvin served on the Marion Shipping Association, Ruritan Club Director, was a member of the ND Stockmen’s Association, Marion Diamond Jubilee Historical pageant committee, Past Master Mackey Lodge #18, Past Patron Bartholomew Chapter #22 OES, Woodbine Chapter #4 OES, ND Atmospheric Resource Board (formerly ND Weather Modification Board), Barnes Rural Water District Board, LaMoure County Weed Board, LaMoure County Farm Bureau Director and was a lifelong member of Marion Lutheran Church.
Irvin is survived by his three children, Ervand, Christian and Margarethe; one grandson, Austin Andersen; and two sisters-in-law, Carole (Charles) Lung and Ruth Modine.
Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his siblings Elmer, Edith, Raymond, Orlo and Elmira.
Memorial donations may be made to Maryhill Manor in Enderlin, ND, Marion Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Schuldt Mathias Funeral Home of Valley City, ND. Online Guestbook available at www.lerudschuldt.com.