Joel Anderson

Joel Anderson, age 94, of Newell, Iowa died February 25, 2013 at the Newell Good Samaritan Center in Newell. A. Joel Anderson was born January 13, 1919 in Newell, Iowa the son of Alex J. and Eulalia (Blair) Anderson. Growing up he attended school and graduated from Providence Consolidated School. On June 6, 1945, Joel was united in marriage to Mabel Hartman in Buffalo Center, Iowa. Together, they were blessed with two daughters, Jolene and Joelle. As a family, they lived on the farm near Newell for many years where he raised Angus cattle and fed out the calves. Joel was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Newell, where he has served as an usher, a deacon, a trustee, and was on the Educational Board. For a number of years, Joel was an active member of the Buena Vista County Farm Bureau. Joel exemplified volunteering. For years, he was an asset to Buena Vista County where he spent numerous hours of his time in service to his community as a membership worker for Buena Vista County Farm Bureau and providing joy for multitudes of children in his Santa suit. In 1997, Joel received an award from the Department of Education for outstanding service to the State of Iowa. He also received the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award. Outside of volunteering to be the â€œMan in Redâ€ at the Newell-Fonda Community School, Joel has also dedicated many Santa hours and years to Story Hour at the Newell Public Library, the Newell Good Samaritan Center, the City of Newell, peopleâ€™s homes, and to Santaâ€™s Castle in Storm Lake. Joel was also a member of the Lionâ€™s Club, provided his time freely to the Republican Party, and conducted the Fire Board meetings in Newell. Spending time with his family was very important to Joel. He treasured family gatherings. Those left to cherish his memory include his two daughters: Jolene Davis and her husband, Ken, of Storm Lake, Iowa; Joelle Kier and her husband, Tim, of Newell, Iowa; grandchildren: Eric Davis and his wife, Martha, of Tucson, Arizona; Kendra Davis and her fiancÃ©, Derek Tremain, of Melbourne, Florida; Jordan Davis and his wife, Sara, of Waterloo, Iowa; Alex Kier of Waterloo, Iowa; Kalee Gerdes and her husband, Aaron, of Des Moines, Iowa; three great grandchildren: Grace Davis, Myla Kier, and Koa Tremain; one brother, Ken Anderson and his wife, Jane, of Newell, Iowa; two sisters: Margaret Bearse of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; Eleanor Jean Wendlandt and her husband, Bill, of Spencer, Iowa extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel in 2002; his parents, Alex and Eulalia Anderson; and two brothers-in-law, Oliver Bearse and Gerna Lee Lookingbill.

Joel Anderson

January 13, 1919 - February 25, 2013