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Ellen V. Anderson Obituary – 7/19/2012


Ellen Viema Anderson, age 87, of Cokato, died Thursday, July 19, 2012 at the Cokato Manor.

She was born Nov. 9, 1924, in Kingston, to Hjalmer and Dagmar (Waataja) Sikkila. Ellen grew up in Kingston, and was baptized and confirmed at the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Cokato.

She attended grade school in Kingston, and went on to high school in Litchfield, graduating in 1942. After school, she took a job at Iver Peterson’s grocery store in Kingston.

Ellen married Gordon Martin Anderson June 26, 1946. They lived with Gordon’s parents for a year while building their own farmhouse at Happy Corner, north of Cokato, where they farmed and raised their family.

In the early ‘70s, Ellen started sewing at Fabritec of Cokato, and worked there until 1995. In 1997, she moved to Cokato.

Ellen enjoyed sewing, knitting, and quilting. She also was very fond of flowers and her garden. She served as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and was very involved in her church, Grace Lutheran of French Lake.

Ellen is survived by her son, Allan (Nancy) Anderson of South Haven; grandchildren, Joshua Larson of South Haven, Ben (Becky) Anderson of Chisago City, Brendon (Becky) Anderson of Bloomington, and Brianna (Chevis) Nelson of Richfield; great-grandchildren Jazlyn Anderson and Levi Nelson; and brothers Marvin and Arnold Sikkila.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hjalmer and Dagmar; husband Gordon; daughter Susan Larson; sisters Irene Anderson and Ethel Barrie; and brothers Earl, Harry, and Clifford Sikkila.

A funeral service took place Monday, July 23 at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, north of Cokato, followed by interment in the church cemetery.

Visitation was Sunday, July 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato, which handled the arrangements.

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