Obituary of Ray Anderson
A funeral service for Raymond “Ray” Anderson, 80, of Ankeny, Iowa formerly of Milford, Iowa, will be held Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford, Iowa. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Milford, Iowa. A visitation will be held at St. Joseph Parish Center in Milford on March 18, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. There will be a luncheon following the inurnment.
Raymond “Ray” Russell Anderson, son of Alvin and Wilma Anderson, was born February 20, 1943, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He attended Milford High School, graduating in 1961. On August 22, 1964, he married Colleen Esser. They made their home in Milford, Iowa, before moving to Ankeny, Iowa, in November 2023. They shared nearly 60 years together, all of which were full of love and happiness.
Ray was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford, Iowa, and a recent member of Our Lady Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny, Iowa. He also served as a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus.
Ray was a hardworking businessman, devoting 42 years to owning Handy Andy Lawn and Spraying Services. He sold the business in 2016. In his retirement, he could be found tending to his garden and giving away his produce.
Ray was a beloved husband, dad, grandfather, uncle, brother, son, and friend. He could often be found enjoying a beer at Pair-A-Dice, playing cards with his friends, bowling, hunting, fishing, grilling, watching Westerns and “All-Star Wrestling,” and spending time with his family. Ray always knew how to make people laugh, whether cracking jokes or sticking his teeth out at his grandchildren.
Ray passed away on February 18, 2024, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa, surrounded by his loving family.
He is survived by his wife; children, Chris (Rick) Sporrer of Nevada, Iowa, Marty (Treva) Anderson of Milford, Iowa, Susan (Bill) Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa, and Nancy (Brian) Eveland of Osage Beach, Missouri; ten grandchildren, Danielle (Austin) Goodnight of Bondurant, Iowa, Kate Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri, Clara Sporrer of Denver, Colorado, Trinity Anderson of Jackson, Minnesota, Luke Eveland of Osage Beach, Missouri, Erica Sporrer of Pella, Iowa, Lizzy Johnson of Kansas City, Missouri, Taylor and Tayln Anderson of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Emily Eveland of Osage Beach, Missouri; and two great-grandchildren, Marshall and Nova Goodnight of Bondurant, Iowa. He is also survived by his sister, Lois Severson of Gladstone, Missouri, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Ron and Dorothy Esser of Marceline, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his parents, sister Bev Schumann, brothers-in-law Bob Esser, Hal Severson, and Arv Schumann, niece Vicki Weaver, sister-in-law Rose Esser, and in-laws Henry and Eunice Esser.
In honoring Ray, we remember his sense of humor, orneriness, work ethic, and big heart. He left an impact on the lives he touched. May he rest in peace, surrounded by the love and memories he created throughout his remarkable journey.
