James N. Anderson

James “Jim” Neale Anderson, 77, of Minden, passed away on Monday December 3, 2018 at his home in Minden. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday December 10, 2018 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Axtell, NE with the Rev. Marcia Dorn officiating. Burial will follow the service at Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at the Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Memorials in Jim’s honor are kindly suggested to Bethany Lutheran Church in Axtell, AseraCare Hospice in Kearney or to the family for later designation. Craig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. James was born on the family farm in Kearney County, NE on December 22, 1940 to Lawrence and Velma (Casper) Anderson. He was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church and was a lifetime member. He taught Sunday school for many years, served on the church council and was a very active member. He rang the church bell for 58 years. He started school at Axtell for three years and then went to Minden where he continued his education and graduated from Minden High School in 1959. He went to Hastings CCC and also took the Dale Carnegie Course in Grand Island. He married Barbara Gudgel in 1973 to which a son, Darrel, was born. They separated. He married Mary Jane Reed in 1979. They separated. He married Nellie (Kemplin) Purvis on June 25, 2017. He worked on the family farm and also worked for several neighbors; he rented farmland and later purchased his own land in Kearney County and Franklin County. Jim was a Square Dancer and traveled to many square dances throughout Nebraska and many surrounding states. He held offices at the club level, federation level and state level. He enjoyed the many friends he met while dancing. He is survived by his wife Nellie; siblings, Jeanette (Walter) McIntyre of Claremore, OK, Lois Thurber, Leland (Jerrilyn) Anderson, Charles (Linda) Anderson and Melvin (Becky) Anderson, all of Minden, Rosalie (Bruce) Maske of Lincoln, NE, Arlene (Alfred) Andersen of Colorado and Vaughn (Cathy) Anderson of Minden; stepchildren, Gary (Karlene) Reed of Juniata NE, Russell (Angela) Reed of Nunn, CO, Brenda (Matthew) Tracy of Hickman, NE, Leo (Kim) Purvis of Omaha, NE and Marvin (Patty) Purvis of Belleville, KS; 17 step-grandchildren, and 15 step-great-grandchildren, one uncle and one aunt, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Darrel Anderson in 1993, and one brother-in-law. Tributes of memory can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.

James N. Anderson

December 22, 1940 - December 3, 2018