Manfred History & Preservation, Inc.
Perry and Lilly Anderson
Husband's Full Name: Perry Andreas Anderson
Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND
Husband's Father's Name: Peter Beck Anderson
Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Dorothea (Johnson) Anderson
Husband's Siblings' Names: Arthur, Nennie, Orren, Cora, Esther, Gertrude, Florence, Cora, Matilda, Frederick
Wife's Full Name: Lilly Rodne
Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND
Wife's Father's Name: Ole J. Rodne
Wife's Mother's Name: Maggie Knutson Rodne
Wife's Siblings' Names: Louis, Sarah, Mabel, Lloyd, Henry, Clarence, Carolyn, Norma
Children's Names: Margaret, Peter, Donald, Verna, Ruth, LoAnn, Orren
Perry Anderson was the son of Peter and Anna Anderson; Lilly’s parents were Ole J. and Maggie Rodne. Both Perry and Lilly were born in 1899. They were married in 1922. They had seven children.
Perry farmed his folk’s farm from 1919 to 1953 when they moved into their new home on Judy Boulevard in Harvey. Their son Peter rented the farm and later purchased it.
Perry and Lilly were very active members of Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred. Lilly was the church organist for many years and Perry served in various capacities on the church board.
While on the farm, Perry was the president and director of the Farmer’s Elevator for many years; served as the director of the Wells County Soil Conservation district for 19 years and secretary and director of the Harvey Cooperative Creamery for many years.
Their children are as follows:
Margaret is married to Ted Thorson. Margaret and Ted have 7 children, 6 boys and 1 girl. They live in Bemidji, Minnesota. Margaret was an elementary school teacher, Ted taught instrumental music at Bemidji State.
Peter, who is married to Rose, lives on the home farm. They have 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys.
Donald married Fran; they lived in Minot for many years where Donald was an attorney. They retired to snowbird country. They had 2 children, a girl and a boy. Donald recently passed away.
Verna Bowers moved from Jacksonville, Florida where she was employed by the Southern Bell Telephone Company for nearly 25 years. When she retired she moved to Harvey and cared for her mother, living next door for the last years of her mother’s life.
Ruth Anderson married Reiner Widiger. They lived in Fessenden and had the Standard Oil Station until their retirement. They now live in a retirement community in New Rockford. They have three girls and one boy.
LoAnn is married to Wayne Dybing. They live in Fargo. They are the parents of two boys. Wayne worked for First State Bank of LaMoure, prior to his retirement.
Orren and Peg Anderson have three children. They live in Minot. Orren worked for White Drug Co. and is now retired.
Perry Anderson’s Obituary
1899 - 1982
Perry A. Anderson, 82, Harvey, active for many years in Wells County affairs, died Friday. Funeral will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Vang Lutheran Church, with burial at the church cemetery.
Perry Anderson, son of Peter and Anna Anderson, was born September 28, 1899 near Manfred and was reared there. As a boy he farmed with his father and took over the farm's operation in 1919. He married Lilly Rodne December 2, 1922 at Manfred. They made their home on the farm until retiring in 1953 and moving to Harvey. His son Peter then took over the farming operation.
Perry was a life member of Vang Lutheran Church, the Sons of Norway, past president and director of the Manfred Farmers elevator and served 19 years on the Wells County Soil Conservation District as president or director. He was past secretary and director of the Harvey Cooperative Creamery for many years, a member of the Manfred School Board and was a founder of the Wells County Historical Society. He was also Vang Lutheran Church cemetery sexton for several years.
Survivors; wife Lilly; son: Peter, Manfred, Donald and Orren of Minot, Daughters: Mrs. Ted (Margaret) Thorson, Bemidji, Mrs. Verna Bowers, Jacksonville, Florida, Mrs. Reiner (Ruth) Widiger, Fessenden, and Mrs. Wayne (LoAnn) Dybing, LaMoure; 23 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Funeral was held May 25, 1982
Lilly Anderson
Lilly Anderson was born November 17, 1899 north of Manfred to Ole and Maggie Rodne. She was raised and educated near Manfred. She was employed for a time in the local general store in Manfred.
She married Perry Anderson on December 2, 1922 in Manfred. They farmed the Anderson family homestead near Manfred. They retired in 1953 and moved to Harvey. Her husband died May 21, 1982.
She was a member of Vang Lutheran Church, Manfred and had served as church organist for many years. She was a member of Fagerlund Lodge Sons of Norway for over 75 years. She passed away in 1998 in Harvey, ND.
Pictured above are Perry and Lilly with their children:
Standing left to right: Donald, Verna, Margaret, Peter
Seated left to right: LoAnn, Orren and Ruth