George Anderson

George S. Anderson was a dedicated father and husband who instilled a very strong sense of values in his children. A very modest man, proud of all his family, yet filled with a wonderful sense of humor. A skilled woodworker, well traveled, and an excellent cook, George Anderson was most certainly a “man for all seasons”.

1917 was a year of ups and downs. The United States, alarmed by the increased activity of German U-boats, on April 6 made the decision to enter into World War I. On the up side, the Chicago White Sox won the World Series, beating the New York Giants, 4 games to 2. On the south side of Chicago, Olaf and Anna (Carlson) Anderson were having a celebration of their own – the birth of son George on March 15, 1917.

George grew up on the south side and when the Depression hit in 1929, the once affluent Anderson family lost everything. Young George would walk the railroad tracks, hoping to find cast off coal to take back to heat the family home. As a teenager, he delivered telegrams on his bicycle for Western Union to earn money for the family. He had learned at an early age the importance of good family values. George finally quit school in the tenth grade, working during the day and attending night classes at the Coin Electrical Trade School. While working at a local A&P grocery store, he met a beautiful young lady named Marie Maher. The two young people were immediately smitten with each other and on March 14, 1936, they eloped to Indiana and were secretly married. Both were just 19 years old. The newlyweds then returned to their own homes, not telling their parents they were married for several weeks. Later, they exchanged their vows in the rectory of the Catholic Church.

At the outbreak of World War II, George took a job with Inland Steel in Chicago, manufacturing tanks for the war effort. After the War, he was ready for a “less busy” life style and moved his family to a small Cape Cod home in the more rural setting of Lansing, Illinois. It was away from the hustle and bustle of the city and closer to the steel mill. The family stayed in Lansing for 2-3 years, finally deciding to move back to Chicago. The next move took them to Hartford, Michigan, where George was hoping to buy a hardware store that was for sale. The hardware deal fell through, but the family stayed in Hartford, with George working at the steel mill during the week, and coming home to Hartford on the weekends. He and Marie loved this Michigan area and bought a farm in Lawrence, where he became a “gentleman farmer”.

Tired of the long commute to Chicago, George started working for a Venetian blind company in Benton Harbor. From there he went to Whirlpool, staying with Whirlpool for the next 16 years. Eventually they made their way to the Kalamazoo area and George went to work for the new General Motors plant that had just opened. He retired from GM in 1980, after 14 years of faithful service.

Always busy thinking of ways to make things better for his family, George built a cottage on Lake Isabella in Mt. Pleasant. He and Marie also built a retirement home in Florida. Sadly, during this time, Marie had been diagnosed with cancer. Two weeks after moving into their new home in Florida, George’s beloved Marie passed away.

George stayed in Florida, returning to the Kalamazoo area three years ago. His children were here and his family was the shining beacon in his life. After Marie’s passing, George became a very good cook, and would often invite his family to one of his wonderful home cooked dinners. It was a good excuse to have his family around. Family reunions became George’s specialty. He would suggest that one be held – but would look to the younger family members to do all the planning. Once the reunion got underway, Grandpa was in his glory, surrounded by the love and smiles of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were the “apples of his eye”.

George was a seasoned traveler. Camping trips all over the United States; world travel to places like China, Tibet, and Alaska; George saw it all. One of the highlights of his travels was the trips to Norway where he was able to trace his ancestral roots. He also possessed a wonderful sense of humor. The instigator of many practical jokes, it was a tradition for him to concoct a practical joke targeting each of his children when they got married. He wasn’t always the life of the party, but would get the party going and then sit back and take it all in. The enjoyment was in seeing his family having fun.

George had many interests to keep him busy after retirement. He was an avid reader, with a special interest in the Civil War. He was a skilled woodworker, and built magnificent grandfather clocks, melodious dulcimers, and beautiful Queen Anne-style end tables. With family so important to him, George made it a point to never forget anyone’s birthday or anniversary, constantly checking the detailed calendar he kept, listing all the family events. The greatest days of his life were noted on this calendar – the births of all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

George was traveling through the Cheboygan area on a color tour when he suddenly became ill. He passed away in the local hospital on Saturday, October 18, 2003.

Members of his family include his children and their spouses: Marjorie (Jim) Hall of Onaway, Robert (Sue) Anderson of Kalamazoo, Dorothy (Edward) Arico of Comstock Park, Jerry (Mary Jo) Anderson of Kalamazoo, Chris (Dennis) Flood of Sarasota, FL, Daniel (Ann) Anderson of Flushing; 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, a sister Eleanor Smith of Indiana, PA, and a very dear friend Isabel Kramb. In addition to his wife, George was preceded in death by a son Theodore, and two sisters, Doris Boll and Mildred Tannenholz.

Friends may spend time with his family Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall and Gren Funeral Home, Portage Chapel where a scripture service will be held that evening at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:30 AM at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Mattawan, Fr. Bogdan Werra, Celebrant. George will be buried next to his wife in Hill Cemetery in Lawrence. Please visit George’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his complete life story, share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to the Cheboygan Memorial Hospital ICU Renovation Fund.

George Anderson was a modest man, yet proud of his family. He was gentle, caring and loved life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.