Obituary: Lawrence E. Anderson

Lawrence E. "Sonny" Anderson passed away peacefully on Aug. 2, 2024, at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton at the age of 98. He was born June 14, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Emil and Jessie (Ward) Anderson. He was raised on a farm and attended grade school at the Sheetz Lake School in Cornish Township by Jacobson, and later attended agricultural school in Grand Rapids.

Lawrence served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd Class, and was honorably discharged.

He met his future wife, Rose Enderle, at Ole's Resort on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, where she worked. They married on May 7, 1949, and celebrated 74 years of marriage before she passed in 2023.

They started their life together in Duluth, where he worked at the U.S. Steel plant. Later, they moved to Cloquet and he began working at Wood Conversion and then Conwed, finishing his career as the foreman of the machine shop. He was an incredibly talented machinist, and retired in 1985.

Sonny also owned and operated Anderson Machine Shop at his home, where he repaired and built many things for local people and businesses. He enjoyed going to the cabin in Jacobson, dancing with Rose, hunting with the guys, fishing, playing cards, good music and being with family and friends.

Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, his parents, and seven siblings.

He will be remembered and missed by his children, Larry (Suzi) Anderson, Steven Anderson, Gerald Anderson, Janet (Becky Dooley) Anderson, Daniel (Mike Cronbaugh) Anderson, Doug Enderle, Franciane (Donald) LaPrairie and their families. He will be greatly missed by his special grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Sara (Jeremy) Henriksen, Joel and Kevin (Adrienne) Anderson, and Albie, Marc (Beth) Anderson and their family, Alison Anderson, and Karey (Dan) Blascyk. He will also be missed by the Blascyk Boys, Noah (Nicola Carus), Elijah, Sam and Owen; and special nephew, Ron Anderson, who played cribbage with him every week.

Special thanks to the staff at Inter-Faith for their kindness and compassion to Lawrence and his family during this difficult time.

Visitation: 11 a.m. until the noon memorial service on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Nelson Funeral Care. Military honors will be presented by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard and U.S. Navy. A lunch will follow.

Pine Knot News, Aug. 16, 2024