Ron J. Anderson, age 89, Rosholt, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Browns Valley Health Center.
Funeral Services will be Wednesday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Nancy Quatier and Rev. Pat Schubert officiating. Music will be provided by organist Lana Sand and vocalist Mindy Foltz. The service will be livestreamed on the Bethania Lutheran Church Facebook page.
Burial will be in the Bethania Cemetery, Rosholt. Honorary pallbearers will be Ron’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active pallbearers will be Ryan Foltz, Scott Foltz, Clay Anderson, Evan Berndt, Lucas Berndt, and Kaleb Foltz.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt and will continue Wednesday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.
Ronald “Ron” Anderson, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated community leader, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of service, hard work, and deep love for his family and community.
Ron was born on January 14, 1937, to William and Laura (Olson) Anderson. He was baptized and confirmed at Christina Lake Lutheran Church in Evansville, Minnesota. He attended rural school in Battle Lake, later Melby, and moved with his family to Evansville in the third grade. Ron graduated from Evansville High School in 1955, where he also worked at BAH Grocery.
Following graduation, Ron joined the Merchant Marines, working for Bethlehem Steel Company. He sailed aboard the Steamer Johnston, traveling from Duluth, Minnesota to Buffalo, New York and other ports. After his time on the water, he moved to Minneapolis, where he worked at a small grocery store, delivering primarily to downtown cafeterias. He later relocated to Alexandria, Minnesota, where he worked for Carlson Dairy, delivering to Red Owl Grocery and Olson’s Super Market.
In 1957, Ron married the love of his life, Lois Walstad. Together they built a life centered on family, faith, and hard work. They were blessed with three children, Peggy, Polly, and Devin, all born in Alexandria.
In 1965, Ron and Lois moved to Rosholt, South Dakota, where he started his own grocery store. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the community were evident from the start. In addition to running the store, Ron began working as a rural mail carrier substitute, eventually becoming full-time and later transferring to Lidgerwood, North Dakota. He sold the grocery store to his son Devin in 1993 and retired from the United States Postal Service in 1999.
Ron was deeply committed to the Rosholt community and played a vital role in its growth and development. He was instrumental in the development of the Rosholt Ambulance Service, local housing, including the 8-plex and apartment projects, and the new Rosholt Municipal Liquor Store. His decades of service included the Rosholt Fire Department and Ambulance Service, Rosholt Commercial Club, Rosholt Improvement Association, and the Rosholt Housing Authority. He served on the zoning board, was a member of the Venture Telephone Company board of directors, and was a dedicated member of the Bethania Lutheran Church Council. Ron also served on the Rosholt City Council for 30 years and as Mayor for approximately 15 years. He was also an active and proud member and President of the Rosholt Lions Club and drove school bus for many years.
Outside of his work and civic duties, Ron enjoyed a full and active life. He played and coached softball, enjoyed bowling and fishing, and was a passionate fan of the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. Ron and Lois shared a love for travel, visiting destinations including Hawaii, the Bahamas, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Jamaica, and nearly every state, along with several memorable cruises.
Above all, Ron cherished his family. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, and a loving grandfather and great-grandfather. He found great joy in attending his 12 grandchildren’s and 22 great-grandchildren’s activities and supporting them in all they did as they will look to carry forward his legacy of kindness, dedication, and love.
Ron will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to his family, his strong work ethic, and his lasting impact on the community he loved so dearly. He will be deeply missed.
Survived by his family, Ron leaves behind his wife, Lois Anderson; kids, Peggy (Bob) Foltz, Polly (Melvin) Braun, and Devin (Christa Morgan) Anderson; 12 grandchildren, Dawn (Kirk) Navratil, Ryan (Mindy) Foltz, Scott (Nicole) Foltz, Justin (Stephanie) Berndt, Evan (Ashley) Berndt, Lauren Berndt, Lucas Berndt, Cahri (Dustin) Wenzel, Clay (Amanda) Anderson, Conner (Garret) Leverson, Janessa Styba, and Jayden Styba; 22 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Carol Reuss and Sonja Smith.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Walley and Jerry; sisters-in-law, Vivian and Vernel; brothers-in-law, Orville Reuss and John Smith; and one niece and one nephew.
The Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt is in charge of the arrangements.
