Emil J. Anderson

LANSE, Mich. - Emil J. Anderson, Jr., 83, (aka The Big Swede) of L'Anse, and formerly of Kenton, passed away on Jan. 27, 2017, in Crystal Falls.

He was born on Sept. 13, 1933, in Stambaugh to Emil and Selma (Johnson) Anderson. He grew up in Beechwood and married Gloria Hansen on Oct. 24, 1959, in Kenton, and had two daughters. He was very loved.

Anderson served in the U.S. Army and the National Guard, and was stationed in Germany. After leaving his country's service, he moved to Kenton in 1955 and worked as a logger, miner and in road construction.  Finding his niche as a millwright, he recently became an honorary lifetime member of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 1510. He was a self-proclaimed "jack of all trades, master of none."

Anderson was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing, although in later years, he was happiest riding his lawnmower or blowing snow. He loved to talk to people and not a cross-country trip went by without him knowing someone at numerous road-side stops.

Morning coffee, talking with friends and playing cards at Hoppy's Bar were a favorite part of his day, along with watching the Green Bay Packers. After living in Kenton for nearly 60 years, Emil and Gloria moved to L'Anse in 2015.

Anderson is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Elaine Kirst.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Gloria; daughter, Sandy (Jerry) Staffeld, of Houston; daughter, Karen Johnson (Lee DeLeon), of L'Anse; grandson, Alan Takalo, of L'Anse; and sister, Carol Cooper, of Long Lake, Wis., as well as numerous relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel in L'Anse, with Pastor John Ansell officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral chapel on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Baraga County area veterans, under the direction of Baraga American Legion Post 444, will conduct military honors at 10:30 a.m.

Immediately following the memorial service, the family invites friends to join them for fellowship and a luncheon in the Harrington Gathering room, located at the funeral chapel.

Spring interment will take place in the Kenton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iron County Medical Care Facility, 1523 U.S. 2, Crystal Falls, MI  49920.

Emil's obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at reidfuneralservicechapel.com.