James Lee Anderson

JAMES LEE ANDERSON

James Lee Anderson, 75, Pleasant Hill, formerly of Humboldt, passed away peaceable at his home on Thursday, May 7, surrounded by his family, after a lengthy illness with COPD. His body was cremated, and Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Humboldt.

James Lee Anderson, son of Fay Glenn and Greta Belle (Rice) Anderson, was born October 25, 1944, at a Fort Dodge hospital. He attended grade school and high school in the Gilmore City schools. In 1965, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving two years and 17 months in Germany, during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he was employed by the Gilmore City Vault Company in Gilmore City, for two years. On June 27, 1969, he was united in marriage to Mavis Gregersen at the United Methodist Church in Gilmore City. The couple made their home in Gilmore City for two months before moving to Humboldt. In late 1969, he became employed by Gunder Church Furniture in Dakota City, where he worked for 17 years, retiring in September 2006.

He was well known for his love of carpentry and woodworking, having spent many years remodeling their home in south Humboldt. He enjoyed both vegetable and flower gardening, and took great pride in his lawn and home. The couple later purchased the property next door to them, where he had created his woodworking shop. Woodworking was his passion and he enjoyed refinishing furniture and creating his own projects for family and friends.

The couple enjoyed vacation in the Southwest, but especially enjoyed the time they spent in the Great Lakes Area. He got a lot of enjoyment spending time with all five of his grandchildren each summer, during a week of G-Kids Camp (Grandparents Camp), which was held at their home in Humboldt.

As his health began to fail, and he was forced to give up the many things he so enjoyed doing, the couple made the decision to sell their properties in Humboldt, and move to Pleasant Hill, in May of 2013, to be closer to their daughter, Lynn, and her family. Their son, Ryan, moved to Des Moines in December of 2016 to be closer to his parents. He always enjoyed watching television, and as his health failed that was his one major source of entertainment. In December of 2018, he was placed in Hospice in-home care.

He is survived by his wife, Mavis of 50 years; a daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Troy Moyle of Des Moines; a son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Theresa Anderson of Pleasant Hill; five grandchildren, Dylan, Karley and Tayte Anderson, all of Waterloo, and Autumn Moyle, a student at Iowa State University in Ames, and Archer Moyle of Des Moines; three step-grandchildren, Devon (Keiry) Krejci of Ankeny; Mykala Krejci, Des Moines; and Sydney (Roger) Griffith, soon to be of Yuma, AZ; sisters-in-laws and brothers-in-law, Gayle Gregersen of Swea City; Marlyn and Rita Gregersen of Sun City, AZ; and Phyllis Wigans, Curt and Sharon Bruvik, and Pat Gregersen, all of Humboldt; and Susan Anderson of Gilmore City. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife's parents, James and Maggie Gregersen; his brother, Ronald Anderson; and three brothers-in-law, Maynard Gregersen, Gail Wigans, and Mike Gregersen.

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