Dennis R. Anderson
December 3rd, 1926 - May 24th, 2023
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Dennis R.'s Obituary
Dennis R. Anderson, 96, of Kingsford, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023, after a brief illness.
He was born in Felch, MI on December 3, 1926, son of the late Alfred and Elna (Backlund) Anderson. Dennis grew up in Kingsford and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1944, where he enjoyed participating on the football and basketball teams, and acting in school plays. He served in WWII with the United States Navy on the USS Oregon City.
On August 8, 1953, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Gribble at St. Mary Queen of Peace Church. They enjoyed 69 years together. He converted to Catholicism many years ago and has been an active member of American Martyrs Catholic Church. Dennis was employed at the Niagara Paper Mill for 38 years – retiring in 1987 as electrical supervisor.
Dennis was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed finding a solution to challenges. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, snow-shoeing, trapping, and four-wheeling with friends and family at his beloved Camp Grizzly. He was a skilled carpenter who built his own home and camp and could fix just about anything. He was a former member of the Elks and was also a member of the Oak Crest Golf Club for many years. He enjoyed attending Flivver athletic events. Dennis was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Tigers, and Air Force Hockey. During retirement, he spent many hours in his woodworking shop and meeting friends for coffee. During the winter months, he enjoyed time in Arizona and Florida. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty; three daughters, Lisa (Dr. Donald) Walla; Laurie Caple; Lynn (Tom) Petroff; six grandchildren, Elizabeth {Mark} Reyes and Emily (Mike) Bell, Stephen (Adelae) and Ethan Caple, Lauren (Brandon) White and Kyle (Anthony) Petroff; and great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Elizabeth Bell, Leighton and Holland White, and Arlo James Caple. He is further survived by brother-in-law, David Loring and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Grace Nieforth; in-laws, Mike and Elizabeth Ohmen; son-in-law, Dr. James Caple; brothers-in-law, Stanley Major, Bruce Hedlund, and Dwight Nieforth; and sisters-in-law, Rita Major, Gerri Hedlund and Jan Loring.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held privately, at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to sign Dennis’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
He was born in Felch, MI on December 3, 1926, son of the late Alfred and Elna (Backlund) Anderson. Dennis grew up in Kingsford and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1944, where he enjoyed participating on the football and basketball teams, and acting in school plays. He served in WWII with the United States Navy on the USS Oregon City.
On August 8, 1953, he married Elizabeth “Betty” Gribble at St. Mary Queen of Peace Church. They enjoyed 69 years together. He converted to Catholicism many years ago and has been an active member of American Martyrs Catholic Church. Dennis was employed at the Niagara Paper Mill for 38 years – retiring in 1987 as electrical supervisor.
Dennis was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed finding a solution to challenges. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, snow-shoeing, trapping, and four-wheeling with friends and family at his beloved Camp Grizzly. He was a skilled carpenter who built his own home and camp and could fix just about anything. He was a former member of the Elks and was also a member of the Oak Crest Golf Club for many years. He enjoyed attending Flivver athletic events. Dennis was a fan of the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Tigers, and Air Force Hockey. During retirement, he spent many hours in his woodworking shop and meeting friends for coffee. During the winter months, he enjoyed time in Arizona and Florida. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Betty; three daughters, Lisa (Dr. Donald) Walla; Laurie Caple; Lynn (Tom) Petroff; six grandchildren, Elizabeth {Mark} Reyes and Emily (Mike) Bell, Stephen (Adelae) and Ethan Caple, Lauren (Brandon) White and Kyle (Anthony) Petroff; and great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Elizabeth Bell, Leighton and Holland White, and Arlo James Caple. He is further survived by brother-in-law, David Loring and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Grace Nieforth; in-laws, Mike and Elizabeth Ohmen; son-in-law, Dr. James Caple; brothers-in-law, Stanley Major, Bruce Hedlund, and Dwight Nieforth; and sisters-in-law, Rita Major, Gerri Hedlund and Jan Loring.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held privately, at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St. Joseph. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Benton Harbor. Those wishing to sign Dennis’ Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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