Date of Birth:
Monday, May 19, 1930
Date of Death:
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Age:
84 years old

Rollie Anderson

Rolland Mayo Anderson (84) passed away peacefully at Seasons Hospice on August 27, 2014 surrounded by his wife Lenora of 62 years, his sons Damann and Jeffrey, and daughter Jill.  Memorial services will be held at the Macken Funeral Home’s River Park Chapel in Rochester on Saturday, September 13 with Pastor Robert Kandels officiating.  Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00AM with the Memorial Service at 11:00AM.  A private burial will be at a later date.

 “Rollie” was born to Alfred and Florence Anderson on May 19, 1930 at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, MN.  He attended Rochester Public schools and then served in the US Air Force from 1948-1950.  Upon returning from the service he went to work for A.O. Smith as a crew chief installing and repairing Harvestore Silos.  On August 15, 1952 he married his high school sweetheart, Lenora Damann at Homestead Church in Rochester.

 In the fall of 1955 Rollie returned to Rochester and entered into the family business, Rochester Granite and Monument Company at 205 North Broadway with his father Alfred.  In 1959 he and Lenora became sole proprietors of the company and they started planning for a move.  In spring of 1963 they opened a new shop located at 2843 South Broadway where it still resides.  (Now Anderson Memorials)  In 1971 they purchased Austin Memorials and in January 1980 the Anderson’s opened the first crematory in Rochester, serving funeral homes in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.  Working together they were the third generation owners of the Rochester Granite and Monument Company, one of the oldest family owned businesses in the City of Rochester.  They retired in January 1990 and it is currently owned by their son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Renee’ Anderson who are 4^th generation.

 They are Honorary Members of the Northwest Monument Builders Association and for forty years they were members of the Monument Builders of North America and have been very active in both organizations.  Over the years the Andersons won many awards for memorial design and the company continues to do so.

 Rollie enjoyed all outdoor activities; many family gatherings at the “Mississippi Hilton”, their cabin on the back waters of the Mississippi.  He enjoyed fishing and hunting throughout North America.  He has been an active member of the Eagles, Elks, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Southern Minnesota Sportsman Club, Homestead Church and Score.  He was a 55 year member of the Rochester Host Lions Club receiving many awards such as: the Helen Keller Sight, Melvin Jones and Lions Hearing Research Fellowship Awards.

 Rollie is survived by his wife Lenora; sons, Damann (Theresa) of Apollo Beach, FL, Jeffrey (Renee’) of Austin, MN; daughter Jill (Ted Aarsvold) of Grand Meadow, MN; grandsons, William (Jana) of Portland, OR, Jacob and Cole of Apollo Beach, FL; granddaughters, Cimarron of Mesa, AZ, Chelsea (Don) Arroyo; great granddaughter Denni of Mesa, AZ; sister-in-law Debi (Tim) Mathison of Cottage Grove, MN and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Rochester Host Lions Club or Seasons Hospice.