RUSSELL — James W. “Jim” Anderson, 87, died Sept. 20 at the Rush County Memorial Hospital in LaCrosse. Born May 20, 1925 in Concordia, he was the son of Floyd L. and Mary Agnes (Burch) Anderson.  He grew up in Concordia and graduated from Concordia High School in 1943. During high school he worked at the Concordia Press. In August 1943 he was drafted into the United States Army. He was assigned to the European Theater of war where he was promoted to staff sergeant of the 94th Infantry Regiment in 1945. During combat duty he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star. On Oct. 14, 1946 he married Norma Jean Gagna. In September 1947, the couple moved to Russell where Jim was employed by The Russell Daily News. He worked at the paper for nearly 40 years before retiring in 1987.  He then went to worked for his son at Anderson Aerial Spraying.
Mr. Anderson was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Russell. He was very active in the Knights of Columbus as a 3rd Degree and 4th Degree, served on the Council 3034, Past Grand Knight and was Past Faithful Navigator, served on the state level as a District  Deputy, and state publicity chairman and editor of the State Council newspaper, Knights Lite. In 1976 he was elected state advocate, then secretary, state deputy, state ceremonials chairman, State Master and Knights Lite Editor. He was a life member of the Russell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6240.
Survivors include his wife, Norma Jean of the home; son, David Anderson of Russell; brothers, Roy Anderson and Elton Anderson, both of Concordia; sisters, Frances Hall of Wichita and Virginia Moss of Delphos; two granddaughters; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Barbara Jean, Florence Viola and Dorothy Ann; and brothers, Charles, Floyd Jr. and Robert Eugene.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 24 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. Burial followed at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Rites being conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post # 6240.  Memorials have been established with the Rush County Nursing Home and the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Pohlman - Varner - Peeler Mortuary and Monuments
610 N. Maple
Russell, Ks. 67665
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 25, 2012