Margaret "Maggie" Anderson

Margaret “Maggie” Anderson, age 81, of Atwater, died Wednesday evening, October 30, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, November 4, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Interment will be at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Kandiyohi.  Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Sunday, November 3, at Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home in Atwater and will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church.  Memorials are preferred to the Carris Health Cancer Center in Willmar.

Margaret Ellen Anderson was born March 27, 1938, in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Gerald and Ellen (Power) Erickson.  She grew up on the family farm in rural Kandiyohi and graduated from Willmar High School in 1956.  Following high school, she worked at the bank in Kandiyohi.  On June 18, 1960, she married Dale Anderson at the Church of St. Patrick in Kandiyohi.  They made their home on the farm near Atwater where they farmed their entire life.  Maggie could often be found in the combine or tractor.  She enjoyed raising cattle and caring for all the other animals on the farm.  She also clerked auctions for several different auctioneers over the years and also clerked at the Willmar Sales Barn.

Maggie enjoyed hunting and trapping, especially when it was with her children and grandchildren.  She rarely missed a sporting event or school activity of her children or nieces and nephews.  She loved cooking for the holidays and being with family.  She always made sure everyone had enough to eat.  Maggie was very active at the Church of St. Patrick and attending Sunday Mass was a must.  She was involved in 4-H from a young age to being a leader later in life.  Maggie also played and coached on many softball teams over the years.

She is survived by a son: Mike (and Jill) Anderson of Atwater, MN; grandsons: Bryan (and Sara) Sietsema, David Sietsema, and Nolan Anderson; and  two great-grandchildren: Bret and Mila.  Also survived are a sister: Kathy (and Dick) Oman of Spicer, MN; sisters-in-law: Janice Elafros, Marvis Lyon, and Jackie Erickson; numerous nieces and nephews; her daughter’s fiance: Mike Welle; and other relatives and friends.

Maggie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Dale Anderson in 2014; her daughter: Elaine Sietsema in January 2019; a brother: Gregory “Butch” Erickson in 2015; and brothers-in-law: Clare Anderson and Mark Anderson.