Larry Duane Anderson, 72, of Hildreth, a devoted husband and father, died on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Bethany Home in Minden. His journey to his heavenly father began after suffering a long illness of CTE on April 21, 2022. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Minden United Methodist Church with Rev. Peter Choi officiating. The service will be streamed to the church's YouTube page. Burial will be held later that day at 1:30 p.m. at the Hildreth Cemetery with military honors. There will be no visitation or book signing. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requested memorial contributions in Larry's honor to be given to the family for later designation. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Larry Duane Anderson was born on June 16, 1952, in Minden, Nebraska to Meredith and Betty Anderson. He was baptized at the United Methodist Church of Hildreth. Larry was confirmed in the summer of 1967.

Larry attended Hildreth Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1971. Meredith, Larry's father, gave Larry his diploma on graduation. Larry helped on the family farm and worked for other farmers during his high school days.

Continuing his education, Larry attended Central Community College in Hastings. On May 26, 1972, he married his high school sweetheart Sheila Johansen at the United Methodist Church in Minden. Their union brought forth three daughters Kimberly, Megan, and Shayla. Larry took pride in watching them participate in school activities and dance.

Larry enlisted in the United States Air Force September 1972, during the Vietnam War. He did his basic training in San Antonio, Texas. He was transferred to Keesler Air in Biloxi Mississippi where he became a radar repairman. Later Larry was transferred to Bergstrom Air Force base in Austin, Texas, and Tinker Air Force base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Larry was honorably discharged from the Air Force August 1976 as a staff sergeant.

Larry returned home from the service to become a farmhand for Thom farms of Minden for over ten years. In March 1987, Larry would return home to the family farm three miles northeast of Hildreth. Larry and family moved into town in March of 1995 after the death of his parents. In 2002 the farm was sold, Larry would become a machinist at Coleman Powermate until Colemans went bankrupt in March of 2007. Larry worked at Holiday Inn as a maintenance man until May of 2013 when he received a head injury, the beginning of his CTE (Chronic Trauma Encephalopathy).

Larry was active in the Lions club and Legion club #378, where he was commander for ten years from 1988-1998.

Larry's two greatest loves were his family and farming. He enjoyed going to the coffee shop in the mornings to visit with other men. Besides farming, his skills were as a radar repairman, electrician, mechanic, carpenter, and welder. He could repair almost anything and built a TV from scratch. Larry taught a son-in-law how to rewire and he helped remodel homes for his girls. Larry enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Larry is survived by his wife, Sheila of Hildreth, and daughters Kimberly Melroy (husband Wade) of Minden, Megan Luther (husband Dusty) of Kearney and Shayla Anderson (husband Levijames) of Hildreth. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren, Shelly Hernandez (husband Adam) of Holdrege; Camryn, Kaleigh, Maliyah, and Jade Melroy all of Minden; Brooklyn Luther and Charlee Luther of Kearney, Keegan Anderson, Thomas Biltoft, and Raiden Biltoft all of Hildreth; two step-granddaughters, Audrie and Ariel Anderson of Gibbon, NE; four great-grandchildren, Jordan, Everleigh, Jayce and Kai; a sister, Barbara Peters of Fort Collins, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Meredith and Betty Anderson; sister, Kay Roe; grandparents, Murl and Grace Anderson, and Gust Wilhelm and Nellie Aspegren.


Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com .