Vincent Anderson

To watch the Livestream of Vince's service, please click here: https://venues.vimeo.com/1686693522706?lang=en-US

Vince was born on February 13, 1938, and went home to be with his Savior Jesus on January 18^th, 2024. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday March 2, 2024 at 12:30pm at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter. A visitation will be held an hour prior to the start of the service. Military Honors will be presented following the service. 

Vince is survived by his Sister Joan Quam and nieces Christy Funk Anderson, Tammy Anderson Thomas and Patty Anderson Newby. He is also survived by Cousins Bruce & Jeanne Anderson, Carol Halverson, Pete Gaylord, and dear friends Marian Duffy, Rita Sorensen, Jerry Thompson and John Westerlund.

Vince was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Myrtle Anderson and his brother’s James D. Anderson and Donald Stevens. His Nephew’s Ricky Anderson and Mark Heishman, and Nieces Debbie Wonders and Cindy Quam. 

Vince was well known in the Lakeshore area of Gull Lake as one of the last walking, talking, human history books. He was born into the Anderson Family of Rocky Point and was the youngest child of Arthur and Myrt Anderson. Vince grew up on Gull Lake and enjoyed his last years at the family homestead, fondly remembered as “The Rendezvous.” Vince attended school in the Nisswa and Brainerd area and joined the National Guard where he was a Medic. After the service Vince joined the Sprinkler Fitters union in the Twin Cities area, while he lived in St. Louis Park.  He worked for many years on the Sprinkler systems in the schools they couldn’t seem to build fast enough during the 60’s and 70’s.

When Vince finally retired, he moved back to the Gull Lake area that held his heart.  He loved the woods, the water, and wildlife. The only thing that matched his love of the outdoors was his love of horses that started in his younger years working at Little John’s Resort stables and continued with his own horses Stoney and Blacky. Snowmobiling was what he enjoyed most about the winters up north and out of state, even snowmobiling in Yellowstone. His summers were for working in the woods, walking, dining, and dancing! Some of his fondest memories were spent at “Little Bar Harbor” enjoying the live music on the weekends and laughing with his family and friends. His mornings were spent searching for a great breakfast and endless hours of playing Cribbage with some of the best friends he ever had. He also invented the “Nisswa Rules” for cribbage to make the game go a little faster.

Vince marched to his own drummer and didn’t really care much if he was in step with the rest of the world or not. He was one of the first ones to start talking about “not wasting water, food, and resources.” That’s probably why he decided to turn the lights and computers off at the Lakeshore City offices when he stopped by one day and no one was there. Vince wasn’t much for “Hippies and Hooligans” in the 70’s and we were quite surprised when he grew his hair a little longer. That’s when Vinces’ nickname became “the Silver Fox” started. Vince always had stories to tell about the rocks and trees, area landmarks and history if you took the time to engage in a conversation with him. The twinkle in his eye and a wink made you wonder if the stories might be embellished just a little, a common Anderson trait. Some might have thought him eccentric or stubborn, but he had the gift of bringing laughter and fun wherever he went. The great stories of the area are passing away as the living legends like Vince leave us.  We hope you had time to look past the “ragged shirt and baggy pants” and got to enjoy his wonderful laugh and “old soft shoe.” We’ll leave some clothes hanging on the line, a gas can on the side of the road and the porch light on to remember you.  Save us a dance Vince, and Happy Trails to you.

In Lieu of flowers, donations preferred to:

Nisswa Area Historical Society

25611 Main St.

Nisswa, MN 56468

or

Lakes Area Food Shelf

P.0. Box 423

Pequot Lakes, MN 56472