Robert John Andersen

Robert John Andersen, the son of John Christian and Florence Katherine Marie (Petersen) Andersen, was born September 26, 1933, at his parents’ home in rural Cass County south of Atlantic, Iowa and died July 29, 2017, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 83 years, 10 months, and 3 days.
Robert was baptized and confirmed at the First Baptist Church in Elk Horn, Iowa. He attended rural schools in Audubon County then graduated from the Audubon High School with the Class of 1951. Robert moved to Atlantic, Iowa and was employed at his uncle’s gas station a short time. He then drove a gravel truck for Danzel Nelson before he moved to Des Moines and worked as a carpenter for George Phippen. On October 3, 1955, he was inducted into the U.S. Army. During his tour of duty served with the 95th Engineer Battalion and was stationed in Germany. Robert was honorably discharged on July 23, 1957 and returned home where he drove a milk truck.
On November 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Akers at the First Baptist Church in Brayton, Iowa. They were blessed with three children Rodney, Katherine, and John. They moved to Exira, Iowa and Robert and his brothers formed a trucking business partnership and operated under the name of John C. Andersen and Sons. Robert drove the milk truck for a few years then in 1971started general over-the-road hauling. In 1995, Robert operated his own truck over-the-road for many years until he retired in 2008. During retirement he enjoyed doing his woodworking and going fishing. But most of all he loved being with his family especially his grandchildren.
Robert was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brayton, Iowa and was a proud member of National Rifle Association.
Preceding him in death was his grandson Nathan Hunter; his parents; his infant sister Barbara Andersen; his brothers Russell Andersen and Wilfred Andersen; his sister-in-law Mary Andersen; his niece Tammy Melendez; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Alvie and Evelyn Akers; and his brother-in-law Myron and wife Joyce Akers; Marilyn’s step-father Royce Malone; and Marilyn’s half-sister Roycene Knudsen.
Survivors include his wife Marilyn Andersen of Exira, Iowa; his children Rodney and wife Barb Andersen of Tabor, Iowa, Katherine and husband Ronald Christensen of Irwin, Iowa, and John Andersen of Exira, Iowa; his grandchildren Phillip and wife Coela Hunter of Randolph, Iowa, Pat and wife Melissa Manzer of Minden, Iowa, Shawn Manzer of Malvern, Iowa, Stewart Andersen and Hans Andersen both of Tabor, Iowa, Robert and wife Rachel Christensen of Harlan, Iowa, Greg Christensen of Manning, Iowa, Ronald E. and wife LeeAnn Christensen of Manilla, Iowa, Angela and husband Corey Davis of Onawa, Iowa, Christian Andersen of Sheffield, Iowa. Cassandra and husband Angel Martinez of Hampton, Iowa, and Peggy Griffith of Nebraska City, Nebraska; his 17 great grandchildren; his brothers Delbert and wife Eleanor Andersen and Richard and Sylvia Andersen all of Exira, Iowa; his sister-in-law Marla Swanson and Rex Best of Windsor, Colorado; Marilyn’s half-brother Kip and wife Jenn Malone of Corning, Iowa; and Marilyn’s half-sister Kathy Mack of Hamlin, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
The family will meet with friends Sunday afternoon, August 6, 2017, at 3:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Josh Farrell on Monday morning, August 7, 2017, at 10:30 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Brayton, Iowa. Interment will be in the Exira, Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. The honorary casket bearers will be Delbert Andersen, Richard Andersen, Robert Klever, and Merlin Guy. The casket bearers will be his grandsons Phillip Hunter, Pat Manzer, Shawn Manzer, Robert Christensen, Ronald E. Christensen, Greg Christensen, Corey Davis, and Christian Andersen.