Jeffrey Curtis Anderson was born on March 14, 1969 in Laguna Beach, CA to Karen (Gullickson) Anderson and Gary Anderson, a United States Marine and Vietnam War Purple Heart Recipient. Days after Jeff’s birth, he and his parents left California and returned to the family farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, where he lived and worked and played every day as a child and teenager. Jeff was a born outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish. Any time spent outside and in the sunshine was time well spent for Jeff. He and his younger brother Steven spent their days playing on their family farm, and later working on it with their father and grandfather. It was easy to play cowboys on a cattle farm, and Jeff and Steven played it often. One day when playing fireman was in order, they set the grove on fire, alerting their parents by running in the direction of the house indicating that they needed the garden hose as quickly as possible. As teenagers, Jeff bet his brother Steven that he couldn’t hit a spot power pole with his .22. When Steven hit the spot, and Jeff lost the bet, the power went out to the house. Crews worked until three in the morning to fix the problem and restore power to the house. In addition to working the land with his family, Jeff raised sheep. He loved his dogs. He was always thrilled at the chance to tell the story of how he found a nest of abandoned duck’s eggs in the pasture. After fabricating an incubator, he was able to hatch them, only to watch them return to the pond on their farm for many years to follow. Jeff adored his parents and grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins—spending time in the presence of family and good food was one of his favorite pastimes. Perhaps most of all, Jeff loved to hike every day the land that had been in his family for four generations. Jeff graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1987, one of a class of only 30 students. Shortly after, he attended Alexandria Technical Institute in Alexandria, MN and later Worthington Community College, where he completed an Associate’s Degree. His love of learning prompted him to attend Southwest Minnesota State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Following his graduation from SMSU, he became employed with them in their Computer Services Department for many years. It was there in 2001 that he met his wife Stephanie Mitchell, the love of his life. Stephanie and Jeff were married in 2002. In Marshall, they raised three children: Grant, Laurel, and Kjirsten. In 2007, they moved to Malcolm, NE, back to the country life that Jeff had been so very fond of as a child. On their acreage, Jeff planted hundreds of trees and berry bushes, and tended a garden that made all others pale in comparison. Until his final day, that garden continued to be a symbol of Jeff’s unfaltering commitment to excellence and unconditional devotion to his role as a steward of the earth. In 2009, Jeff and his family welcomed his fourth child, a second son, Reid, to the world. Every bit of Jeff’s energy, and the love that flowed from it, was for his family, particularly his children. They were the light of his life and his reason for everything he thought to be perfect and beautiful about the world. Jeff directed Information Technology (IT) for GT Exhaust in Lincoln, NE, a job that he took pride in, one that he enjoyed to the fullest.
He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Buster and Goldie Gullickson, his paternal grandmother, Marge Anderson, and his infant son Gabriel Kaylor Mitchell-Anderson. Jeff is survived by his wife Stephanie, his children Grant, Laurel, Kjirsten, and Reid of Malcolm, NE, his parents Gary and Karen Anderson of Walnut Grove, MN, his brother Steven, sister-in-law Sheila, and nieces Courtney and Ashley Anderson of Brookings, SD, his grandfather Leo Anderson of Redwood Falls, MN, his mother and father-in-law Rise and George of Malcolm, NE, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Joe and Christine and nephews Nicholas and Alexander of Omaha, NE. Jeff is additionally survived by dozens of loved ones and friends who will miss him, feeling all too well the hole his dynamic presence has left in the world he left behind.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 2325 S. 24th, Lincoln.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the family for Jeff’s children’s education fund.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of grieving.
Family of Jeff Anderson,
Our hearts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.We are here for you,let us know if there is anything we can do.Norm,Jeanne and Jordan Hansen.
We have been keeping you all in our prayers!I dont remember Jeff,but the obit gave me idea of what kind of man he was!Sounds to me that he was like my Uncle Buster,his Grandpa!I had such good times with him as a kid.Im sure he was an amazing father!I wish we’d had more reunions so I could have known him better.Trish said she was close to him.We will be thinking of you all of you and send our love,cousin Penny ,Neil and family
Our thoughts and tears are with your family. Words cannot express our sorrow for you and the loss of Jeff. Our prayers are with you. Shane, Kim and kids.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Stephanie, and with your children and entire family. I have fond memories of Jeff popping in and out of George’s office when George and I were deans together. He was always so good-humored. His smile became intensified greatly once he met Stephanie. Be well, all of you.
Love,
Beth
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Stephanie, your children and your families. I cannot tell you what a gift it was to see little Reid everyday we used to drop off Krishna. He used to get so thrilled when Jeff would come to get him and his sister. Their happiness was so good to see and no doubt flowed from their love for Jeff. We are deeply saddened by his passing.
Rachel, Krishna and Gautam
Stephanie, George and Rise, and family – I am so sorry to learn of Jeff’s death. My heart goes out to you, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I recall how Jeff enjoyed touring the livestock barns at fair time! I also recall Jeff’s kindness and generosity, and his smile. May you feel the Lord’s comfort and love in these most difficult days.
Carrie
Jeff will forever be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband, father, and friend. He took Nicholas on his first camping trip and tractor ride as well as placed Angry Birds in our kids bedrooms! He treated our children as his own. Nicholas has been intermittently waving to the sky and saying hi to Jeff. He also says he loves him and misses him. He had been talking about his camping trip the previous weekend nonstop. We will miss you very much Jeff. I will remember you most by the love you had for your children. We all love you Jeff.
Stephanie, Jim and I are holding you, your children and your family in our hearts and prayers. I always enjoyed running into Jeff in the halls at the university. He loved his work, and he was an engaging story-teller. My favorite Jeff quote: One time I told him Kjirsten looked like him, and he said, “Yeah, the cute version.” Your beautiful words above bring Jeff to life and vividly show how he embraced life and his family to the fullest. Sending you much love and peace, Marianne & Jim
I have very fond memories of Jeff from elementary/high school. My thoughts and prayers are with Jeff’s family.
Thank You Sally, this has not sunk in yet. We have a range of emotions that change from day/night. Our heart’s ache. Jeffrey’s children are 17, 9, 5 and 2). They were his world.
I pray that the Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort and hope will come to each of you in your shock and grief and confusion of heart. May He help you to find peace, be gentle with you in your sadness, spare you any feelings of guilt or despair and bring light to guide you out of darkness of loss into the assurance of His love. And may you feel His loving arms around you as you weep beside the empty tomb of our risen Lord and Savior. Amen.
You are in the hearts and prayers of your family at St. James in Marshall, MN
Dear Stephanie, George, Rise, and family, I am so sorry for your sudden and shocking loss. Jeff was a good person, always very helpful when here at SMSU. Though we didn’t converse often, I know that his family meant so very much to him. Sending all of you prayers, Lori
To the Anderson family,
My sincerest sympathy to all of you on the loss of Jeff. I have not seen him much since we graduated from high school but he was way too young, and will be missed. God Bless
Dan Peterson
Thank You Dan,
It hasn’t sunk in yet…doesn’t seem real. Yes, he was to young and had everything going for him.
Stephanie and family,
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry to hear of your loss. Deecy
My thoughts and prayers are with you as we grieve the loss a truly wonderful man! I was blessed to call him my friend for over 15 years and will hold many memories in my heart forever. I know that Jeff would not want us to be sad during this time, but rather, he would want us to celebrate his life, laughter, and his love. Thank you for being my dear friend…I miss you…and I love you. My deepest condolences to his parents, brother, wife, children, and fellow friends and family. May we always remember that he is watching over us and helping us along our journey.
Beautiful Jen, thank you.
Stephanie and family,
So sorry for your loss. I remember Grant when he was just a little baby in Marshall.
You and your family will be in my prayers.
Please let your parents know they will also be in my prayers
Thoughts and prayers to all of Jeff’s family. Didn’t always spend a lot of time with Jeff from school but do remember the few times we did spend some time together. That says a lot in itself about Jeff. He will be remembered.
Brian
Dear Stephanie, George, Rise and family, may God be with you during this difficult time. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers since we received news of Jeff’s passing. God Bless you all.
Dear Stephanie, Rise and George,
I am so sad to learn of Jeff’s death. I find impossible to say anything meaninful, but I want you to know that I have great memories of Jeff and the special place he had in your family. My thoughts and love are with all of you,
Elma
Dear Stephanie and family,
My deepest sympathy to all of. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dear Stephanie and family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
To the Family of Jeff Anderson:
I knew Jeff from high school and was shocked to hear. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time!!
Holly, we remember you, even though it was many years ago. I tried getting on your facebook, but it won’t let me become your friend. We miss Jeffrey and many times question ourselves, “is this for real”? We want to thank you for leaving the comment.
I have no words. We met many years ago but I remember Jeffery very well
I´m so sorry for his family. All my thought are with you even if I´m so far away in Sweden.
Gunilla
Thank You Gunilla, I don’t know when it will seem real. Our Heart’s ache.
I know the Lord is with you because of your strong faith. I have always enjoyed Jeff. Whether I saw him in person or talked to him on the phone, he was friendly, happy and fun. He was a wonderful young man.
He loved his family so much. You will all be in our prayers.May you find peace during this difficult time.
I am sending my most heartfelt sympathy to you, Stephanie and your children and also Risa & George Mitchell as well. I was employed in the Vice President’s Office at SMSU when George and your husband worked there so I knew them well. I am praying that God blesses all of your family in a special way during this sad time in your lives and that he graces you all with his presence in the future. My deepest sympathy.
My deepest symptoms. Although I did not know Jeff well in school, I do recall hearing Steve start most of his story’s with “My brother Jeff….” God bless you all and my you find comfort in our Lord. Tammy (Schenk) Hollingsworth
Thank You Tammy, Jeffrey and Steven had lot’s of good times. This doesn’t seem real right now. It’s as if I’ll wake from a bad, bad nightmare.
I had the pleasure of getting to know Jeff and his wife while i worked at their childs daycare. Jeff was one of my favorite people to speak with every morning/evening. He always answered my trivia, and it usually led to a grand discussion about that topic. We both had one thing in common: Our love of goofy shirts. Jeff and his wife bought me one of my favorite t-shirts that I still wear on a frequent basis. I have since moved from Lincoln, but when I heard of Jeff’s passing, it shook me to my core. He was a great man, a great father and a great husband. He made me feel special, and always had time to chat with me. This world lost a great person, and heaven is lucky to have him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his grieving family.
I hope heaven has some good trivia and goofy shirts Jeff!
-Ryan
Ryan, we are Jeffrey’s Mother & Dad. After reading your comment, we both feel we would like to have known you. Yes, Jeffrey was a great man, great father, great husband, great brother to his brother Steven, great Uncle and “great son”. Thank You so much. We sometimes ask, “is this for real”?
Dear Steph, Rise, George, and family,
So very sorry to learn of Jeff’s passing…you are in our thoughts and prayers!
Love and peace to you all,
Joe and Shirley
I’m so sad to hear about Jeff. What a beautiful tribute written about his life. You are in my prayers.
So sorry to hear about your son,Jeff. My prayers and thoughts are with you Karen and Gary.
So sorry to hear about your loss.I remember being quite young and playing with jeff and steven at family reunions.