Robert "Rabs" Jerome Anderson

Robert Jerome Anderson passed away at his home, Tuesday August 26, 2014, at the age of 88. He was born on the home farm in Rush City MN on Feb. 25, 1926 to Herman & Ethyl Anderson. Robert was baptized, confirmed and a life long member of First Evagelical Lutheran Church of Rush City. He had a deep faith in God, loved the old church hymns, traditional services and participating in his church family. Robert was given the nickname “Rabs” when he was in high school and it stuck with him all his life. He attended Rush City Schools till the 11th grade when he went to work on the farm with his father. Rabs was very active in athletics and was said to be a very good football and basketball player. He was very proud of his schools basketball record and their tournament play. Rabs loved farm life and country living. He had many stories he shared with family and friends about the “good old days”. He farmed with his dad Herman until he passed away in 1984. They milked cows, raised pigs, chickens and crops. He was proud to be a farmer he loved to talk about their team of horses. He was an avid hunter and loved to bag ducks, pheasants and deer and take care of wildlife around the farm. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycles, four wheeling and anything fast! Rabs was called to serve his country in the Korean conflict in 1953. He received his GED in the service. He was stricken with hemorrhagic fever while in Korea and spent many months in hospitals from Hawaii to Walter Reed in Washington DC. He often talked about riding under a helicopter to a M.A.S.H. hospital and said it was just like the TV show! He was honorably discharged and returned to the farm after his medical release. Rabs married Audrey Nowling Bodell, June 5th 1971 and took in with open arms her 5 children: Cindy, Rocky, Val, Julie and Lisa. He treated them as his own. Rabs sold his herd in 1988 and started working at Audrey’s daycare full time. He loved the kids so much he continued till around the age of 80! He is loved by so many day care kids and family, too many to count. He will be sadly missed especially for his sense of humor, his generosity, loving personality and his exceptional memory full of all the things you would ever want to know about Rush City and it’s people! Rabs Anderson is survived by Wife Audrey Anderson, children: Cindy Bodell of Harris, Rocky (Julie) Bodell of Rock Creek, Val (Dan) Larson of Rush City, Lisa (Tim) Morris of Rush City; 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, special caregiver Kathy Gliden and many daycare graduates. He is preceded in death by parents Herman & Ethel Anderson, daughter Julie Bodell, sisters Shirley (Chester) Colliander, Doris (Art) Colliander; infant twin sisters, special cousin and best friend Allan Johnson Reverend Laurie O'Shea will officiate the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 30th, 2014 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Rush City. Visitation and reviewal will take place Friday evening from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Olson Funeral Chapel and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the William Taylor Cemetery of Rush City. Funeral arrangements for Mr. Robert “Rabs” Anderson of Rush City are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City -Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com