Harold J. Anderson

Harold Junior Anderson was born July 12, 1931 to Harold E. and Louise (Kursock) Anderson. It was the hottest day of the year. During my early years, my parents spent weekends in Chicago and I spent the time at my grandparents. My grandfather taught me to help in the greenhouse. In 1936, my sister, Mary Ann was born and in 1945 I graduated from the 8th grade. In high school, with the help of Mr. Terwilliger, I started Ag classes and FFA, which started my desire to be a farmer. In the summers I helped on the farm of Lloyd Robson. In 1946, I earned the rank of Eagle Scout and the Order of the Arrow.

After graduation from Wethersfield High School in 1949, I went to work on a farm for Frank Miller and later, Ross McRae. On November 25, 1951, I married Patricia Freeburg at St. Paul's Church in Kewanee. After being drafted into the Army in January of 1952, I spent 2 years in the service with one of them being in Korea. My first daughter, Kathy was born on September 16, 1952.

Upon returning home from the Army, I was employed at Kewanee Boiler, Kewanee Manufacturing and Woltil's Heating in Kewanee. With the help of family, we built a new home on East 7th Street. Our daughter, Carol was born on May 19, 1955 and our third daughter, Chris was born on July 6, 1956. My family joined St. Peter's Evangelical Church UCC in 1954. I taught Sunday School and was the Sunday School Superintendent and served on the church board as Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee and as an Elder.

In 1959, we moved from Kewanee to a rental farm owned by Lloyd Robson in Burns Township. In Burns, I served as a volunteer fireman and on the township board as Trustee and Town Clerk. Also, at this time I served on the Farm Bureau Board, Pork Producers, Edwards Drainage commission and the Hog Festival Committee and cooked many pork chops and whole hogs.

In 1970, we purchased the farm we had been renting at an auction for $631 per acre, a price unheard of at that time. We milked cows, raised chickens, hogs, cattle, corn and beans. When I was 50, I got my pilots license and owned a small airplane. I retired from farming in 1992, had a farm sale and moved to Kewanee and bought our home on McKinley Avenue. I did some construction work and started a hobby of stained glass and making caramels. We sold the farmland in 2012 and my hobbies then became going to McDonald's, doctor visits and taking naps.

I have enjoyed having three daughters; Kathy (Doug) Greenhagen, Carol Austin and Chris (Mike) Thurwanger, seven grandchildren; Kelly, Andrew, Jenny, Josh, Becky, Ruth and Hannah, ten great grandchildren; Adam, Annabelle, Riley, Ella, Mary, Jude, Gus, Max, Evie and Gideon and being married to Pat for 70 years.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 18 at St. Peter's Evangelical Church UCC in Kewanee. Funeral services will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Kevin Drane officiating. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 19 at Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee. Memorials may be directed to St. Peter's Evangelical Church UCC. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is in charge of arrangements. The funeral home will maintain compliance with COVID regulations and requires that all guests wear a mask for the safety of all those attending.

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