Knute David Andersen

Knute David Andersen, the son of Nels and Stinne (Neilsen) Andersen, was born on September 26, 1934, in Anita, Iowa. He attended Shelby and Tennant (Iowa) schools, and graduated from the Shelby-Tennant High School in 1953. He was raised on the farm, and then farmed with his father and brother. From January 1955 through December 1956, David served in the U.S. Army.

On May 30, 1959, David married Dorothy Ruth Pitt at the Shelby Lutheran Church in Shelby. David continued to farm near Shelby, and he later farmed with his son, Richard. He also raised hogs and cattle for many years.

David was a member of the United Lutheran Church in Shelby, where he was active and was a member of the church council; he had also served as president. He had been a Shelby-Tennant school board member, serving as president of this group, as well. David was a member and former Commander of the Shelby AL Post #240. A proud Dane and an International Harvester “Red Man”, David was helpful to others and spoke his mind. He was a caring man who loved his family and work. David enjoyed bowling, playing cards, and traveling.

David Andersen died on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at the Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, Iowa, at the age of 75 years, 5 months, and 18 days.

David was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Irwin Andersen; his parents-in-law, Harold and Emma Pitt; one sister-in-law, Doris Reid; and three brothers-in-law, Wayne Adams, Dale Messerschmidt, and Ray Pitt. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy Andersen of Shelby, IA; three sons, Don (Pam) Andersen of Eastham, MA, Rich Andersen of Council Bluffs, IA, and Larry (Angie) Andersen of Denison, IA; one daughter, Deb (Denny) Jacobsen of Hancock, IA; one sister, Catherine (Bob) Thoms of Shelby, IA; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, LaVere Andersen of Avoca, IA, Barb Adams of Underwood, IA, Betty (Doug) Wright of Crescent, IA, Margie (Terry) Baker of Council Bluffs, IA; four brothers-in-law, Stan (Darlene) Pitt of Logan, IA, Ron (Florice) Pitt of Maud, TX, Mel (Alice) Pitt of Council Bluffs, IA, and Rick Reid of Council Bluffs, IA; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 20, 2010, at the United Lutheran Church in Shelby, Iowa, with Pastor Duane Anunson officiating. Nancy Armstrong, Bonnie Peters, Nicole Jones, and Stephanie Grote were the musicians. Honorary casket bearers were Jerry Mez, Mel Hursey, Don Pattee, Charles Ronnfeldt, Rich Goshorn, Ronnie Eggerss, and Ron Goetzinger. Active casket bearers were Bill Adams, Shane Jones, Kaleb Grote, Joel Andersen, Wayne Bladt, Chris Thoms, Adam Goshorn, and Dana Messerschmidt. Burial was in the Shelby Cemetery in Shelby, Iowa, where the Shelby AL Post #240 provided military rites. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Shelby was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.