Jens Anderson, 87, of Wagner

Private family memorial services with military honors will be held at a later date. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Jens Christian Anderson was born September 3, 1922 at Wagner, South Dakota, the son of Chris and Cora (Johnson) Anderson. He died Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Jens attained the age of 87 years, three months and 19 days.

Jens graduated from Ravinia High School and Southern Normal in Springfield, where he attained his teaching certificate.

Jens served in the US Navy during WW II from 1942 to 1946.

Jens married Eleanor Moysis on June 29, 1947 at the Methodist parsonage in Wagner.

Jens taught in a country school in the Ravinia area for a few years. He then worked at the Marshall Wells Hardware store. He started working at Sykora Chevrolet, which later became Honke Chevrolet, where he worked for many years as a car salesman. After he retired from the dealership, Jens worked at the Wagner Food Center for a few years.

Jens will be remembered for his love of working in his yard.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife, Eleanor of Wagner; daughter, Peggy Anderson of Wagner and her husband Mitch Doty of Portland, OR; a grandson, Chad Anderson and special friend, Angela Magnuson of Mitchell; a brother, Donald Anderson of Wagner; two sisters: Alma Roberson and Margaret Mamula, both of Wagner; and several nieces and nephews.

Jens was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Dorothy Frederick, Mary Bures and Esther Hall; and four brothers: Jack and Marion, and two who died in infancy.