John Anderson

John Anderson, age 88, of Wilmot, SD, passed away on June 10, 2020, in Redfield, SD.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. at Wilmot City Cemetery. A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Community Church in Wilmot on Saturday with the graveside service to follow. A memorial service will be held on July 18, 2020, in Wilmot, time and location to be determined. Donations in honor of John can be given to Swan Lake Christian Camp, 45474 288th Street, Viborg, SD, 57070 or online at myslcc.com.

John Andrew Anderson was born on October 7, 1931, in Beloit, WI. He was the son of Elmer and Mae (Howell) Anderson. He grew up on the family farm northwest of Wilmot, SD. John attended country school in Lee Township during his elementary years and graduated from Wilmot High School in 1950. John was united in marriage with Beverly Williams on January 12, 1951, and started farming with his parents. John and Beverly moved to Beloit, WI, in 1954, and John began working at Beloit Iron Works as a set up welder until November of 1958. The family moved back to Wilmot and bought a farm near John’s parents where they farmed over 1,200 acres, milked cows, and raised Appaloosa horses until 1983.

Starting in 1983, John and Bev spent the winter months doing RV and general home repair in Sky Valley RV Park, Desert Hot Springs, CA, and spent the summers working on road construction in South Dakota and Minnesota with their son, Tom. John continued doing RV repair in Sky Valley and Quartzsite, AZ, until 2006.

They retired back to Wilmot and resided on the family farm and in the Wilmot Care Center until John was admitted to Avantara Redfield in January of 2018.

John enjoyed hunting, RV-ing, metal detecting, and meeting new people. He also enjoyed the warm California winters for many years. He was a member of Zion Community Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly of Wilmot, SD; sons: Steven (Orla) Anderson of Wilmot, SD; and Tom (Margaret) Anderson of Wilmot, SD; daughters: Mary Anderson of Viborg, SD; and Patricia (Michael) Kemp of Desert Hot Springs, CA; grandchildren: Jamie (Patrick) Schwenn of Wilmot, SD; David (Tara) Anderson of Wilmot, SD; Nathan (Angie) Anderson of Rapid City, SD; Patrick (Emily) Anderson of Rapid City, SD; Rick (Irene) Anderson of Spearfish, SD; Benjamin Anderson of Chicago, IL; Brian Kemp of Joshua Tree, CA; and Sarah (Chad) Schons of Worthington, MN; great-grandchildren: Abigail, Ethan, Samuel, Julia, Bethany, Daphne, Bryce, Boaz, Jack, Anabelle, Titus, Evelyn, Cole, and Lincoln; and brother, Alan Anderson of New Ulm, MN.

John was preceded in death by infant son, Samuel; grandson, Christopher Anderson; parents: Elmer and Mae Anderson; sister, Mary Hansen; and brother, Raymond Anderson.