Keith Anderson

Keith H. Anderson, age 81, of Nisswa, and formerly White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi and Pequot Lakes, passed away Wednesday, November 12, 2008, due to complications following open heart surgery. He was born July 26, 1927, in Thunder Bay, Canada, to Hartwick and Mabel Anderson.
Keith graduated from Pine City High School and was a 1950 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Journalism. He married Martha Smolka on May 17, 1952 in Mankato. Keith was employed by the Mankato Free Press, Rapid City Daily Journal, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and the 3M Company's International Division. He was the owner/publisher of the Lake Country Echo in Pequot Lakes, MN, from 1980 to 1995.
Keith was active in the Nisswa Lions, Pequot Lakes Legion and Jenkins VFW. He was a civic leader in Pequot Lakes and was the founder of the Brainerd Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Keith loved his family, the outdoors and reading and was a wordsmith, world traveler, gardener, artist, writer and sailor. He was known for his kindness, integrity, charity, for his loving, caring and engaging humorous spirit, and his popular editorial "Off the Top" in the Lake Country Echo.
Keith is survived by his loving wife, Martha; children, Michael Anderson (Barbara) of Cottage Grove, Paul Anderson of Texas, Erik Anderson (Jill) of Oregon, Linda Osborne (Bob)of Wyoming; grandchildren, Sara, Nick, Gail, Noelle, Rachel, Erik, Kailey, Kyle, Stephen; and great granddaughter, Lola.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Peter.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Services will be 11 AM on Monday, November 17 at St. Alice Catholic Church, Pequot Lakes, with Father George Zeck officiating. Burial will be in Pelican Woods Cemetery, Breezy Point. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 PM at Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes, and one hour prior to the service at the church.