Allan Dale Anderson, fondly known as "Red" to family and friends (he had red hair as a younger person), was born February 9, 1925 in Beloit, Wisconsin to Nellie Mae (Howell) and Elmer Anderson. He was the first born of four siblings including Raymond, Mary and John.

His father, Elmer, was a carpenter working in Beloit during the Great Depression, the family moved to a farm near Wilmot, South Dakota in the 1930's where Mae's family also farmed. "Red" and his brother, Raymond, "Bud," helped Elmer build a house and a barn on their new farm. The house stands today (a little worse for the wear) and the farm is owned by Elmer and Mae's grandchildren. Allan attended Wilmot High School where he met his future wife, Cleo Rensberger. They were married on August 24, 1947 after Allan completed a Bachelor of Science degree at SDSU in Brookings, SD.

The couple moved to Rapid City, SD where he began his career as an Agronomist with a local seed company. Their first child, a son, was stillborn in June, 1950. It was a painful loss for them and not one that was talked about or processed in those days.  They were encouraged to "move on" and had their second and oldest child, Nancy, in June, 1951. Allan's job then took them to Watertown, SD where their next child, Cindy, was born in November, 1953. Yet another job related move took the family to Mitchell, SD where their third daughter, Paula, was born in January, 1957.

Allan began to feel a strong pull to return to farm country and the land his Grandfather had farmed. They bought that farm bringing the family near Wilmot, SD in spring, 1959.  With help from both sides of the family they built a house that is currently a home to his great niece. Their son, James Earl, was born while living on the farm in April, 1961.

Allan farmed in partnership with his brother, "Johnny." After giving the venture six years, Allan and Cleo made the decision to sell the farm and seek employment again in the seed industry.

Allan was subsequently hired (at age 40), by Northrup King Seed Company in Norfolk, NE in the Fall of 1966. This move gave Allan an exciting and lucrative career for the next twenty plus years. He soon managed the Norfolk branch of the Company.  Following more moves back and forth to the NK Minneapolis Headquarters, he was promoted into Northrup King Leadership/Management where he worked until he left in 1987. He was an intelligent, strategic and valued employee who proudly gave his considerable knowledge and talents to the company.

Once retired, Allan and Cleo began their beloved 30 years annual winter trek to several locations in Arizona, first traveling in trailers, then a fifth wheel, eventually settling in a stationary park model in Quartzsite, AZ. He dearly loved being in Arizona and especially  enjoyed playing desert golf, attending evening campfires, sharing potlucks with  neighbors, shopping for crystals and semi-precious rocks at the seasonal flea markets  and watching the endless sky out on the open desert. After Cleo died in 2009 his life and routines changed. With the help of his kids and others, he was still able to go to AZ each year.

Then in his mid-90's as dementia began to intrude, his ability to live alone, far from family support in AZ, was no longer an option. He grieved the loss of his Arizona life until his death. He spent the past year in a "beautiful "apartment at Ridgeway on German, well supported by their kind and generous staff as well as Julie, his exceptional personal caregiver.

Allan died peacefully in his bed during the early morning hours of August 11, 2022. He prayed to be able to go to bed and not wake up, his prayers were finally answered.

He was preceded in death by Elmer Anderson, Mae (Howell) Anderson, Infant son Anderson, Mary (Anderson) Hansen, Christopher Anderson, Cleo (Rensberger) Anderson, Raymond Anderson, and John Anderson.

He is survived by his children; Nancy Anderson, Cindy (Anderson) and (Guy) Petrie, Paula  Anderson and (Steven Wachter), and James and (Valerie) Anderson, Grandchildren; Jared Wachter and (Grace Ouyang), Caitlin Petrie, Aaron Baum, and Conrad Wachter, Step-grandchildren; Melissa Sanderson (and family), Mandy (Sanderson) and (Matt) LaBrosse (and family), and Matt and (Wendy) Sanderson and,  Great-grandchildren: Vera and Sisu Wachter, and many dear nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home South Chapel, 600 S. Broadway St., New Ulm, MN, on Friday, September 30, 2022, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 am at the funeral home on Friday.

The family requests that any donations or memorials be made in Allan's name to Red Cloud Indian School at redcloudschool.org, Smile Train at smiletrain.org/donatenow, or Ridgeway on German at 715 S German St, New Ulm, MN 56073