Arnold "Nick" Andersen

Funeral Service 2 PM, Thursday, May 26, 2011 Ascension Lutheran Church Coon Rapids, Iowa Officiating Pastor Lou Hoger Musical Selections “Here I Am, Lord”  Congregation “I Can Only Imagine”  Peg Wiemers, Vocalist “Give Me Jesus”  Wartburg Choir Recording “Leaves of the Trees” Carolyn Flook, Organist Casket Bearers Mathew Emery    Jeff Emery    Nathan Pevestorf Chris Pevestorf    Nathan Cunningham    Kevin Lindquist Honorary Casket Bearers Harvey Andersen    Charles Smouse    Richard Schwab Charles Headlee    Richard Randolph    Dale Christensen Interment With Military Honors Dewitt-Loustaunau Post 20 of the American Legion Orange Township Cemetery Rural Coon Rapids, Iowa Arrangements entrusted to Johnson & Woodhouse Funeral Home.    Arnold Simon “Nick” Andersen, son of Hans Simon and Grace (Petersen) Andersen, was born April 5, 1923, in Guthrie County, Iowa. In 1928, his proud Danish immigrant family moved to the home farm east of Viola Center, where Nick grew up. He attended country school #9 and graduated from Viola Center in 1941. Nick continued to farm with his parent and brothers.    On October 25, 1945, Nick was inducted into the U.S. Army. He attained the rank of Technician-Fourth Grade while serving with the Army Security Agency at Vint Hill Farms Station in Warrenton, Virginia. Upon his separation on October 31, 1946, Nick returned to Iowa.    On March 15, 1947, Nick was united in marriage with Mary Louise Goochey at the United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. Three daughters were born to this union. He farmed with his brother Harvey for 20 years, then sold off the livestock so that he and Mary could travel. They were able to tour all over the country by bus, making numerous friends and memories. In 1986, they retired to their home in Coon Rapids.    Nick volunteered, carrying congregate meals, helping with the boulevard project, planted trees with Pete Oliver and he loved visiting his old friends. He enjoyed numerous adventures with his son’s and brothers’–in- law, to Lee Miller’s cabin in Northeast Iowa, deer hunting and trout fishing. Later grandsons were also gladly included.    Nick was a loyal member of Ascension Lutheran Church. He was a tireless worker on the “Dane Crew”. Together, these proud men spent endless hours in loving devotion to their church and God. They enjoyed being members of the two-cylinder club and sharing memories of the farm. Nick took great pride in being a World War II veteran and member of the Dedham American Legion. But above all, he was most proud of his grandchildren and great-grand children.    Since 1995, Nick had battled health problems. At the end of February 2011, he became a resident of Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa, where he died peacefully on Monday, May 23, 2011.    Nick is survived by his wife Mary Andersen of Coon Rapids; three daughters: Twila Lange & husband John of Albert City; Donna Pevestorf & husband Doug of Coon Rapids and Marcia Young & husband Gary of Coon Rapids; eight grandchildren: Jamie Lindquist & husband Kevin; Jeff Emery & wife Allison; Mathew Emery & wife Stephanie; Melanie Krause & husband Travis; Christopher Pevestorf & wife Kelly; Nathan Pevestorf & Brenda; Rochelle Pevestorf & Dana Cook; Amanda Cunningham & husband Nathan; 18 Great-grandchildren: Kaleb, Ethan & Tanner Lindquist; Victoria & Mitchell Emery; Gabe & Wyatt Emery; Bennett Krause; Taylor & Kale Pevestorf; Owen, Blaine & Trent Pevestorf; Christian, Caden & Amelia Cook; Alexandria & Morgan Cunningham; a brother Harvey “Tony” Andersen & wife Dorothy of Coon Rapids; a brother-in-law Robert Goochey & wife Mary of Park Rapids, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John and son-in-law, Jim Emery.