Jon “Jiggs” Anderson
Jon “Jiggs” Anderson, age 82, of Blomkest, formerly of Olivia, MN died Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at St. Cloud Hospital from complications of lung cancer. A Celebration of life will be on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 2-5 p.m. at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Olivia. A time of sharing will begin at 4 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Willmar. Arrangements by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN.
Jon was born December 7, 1940 to Merlin and Beatrice (O’Connor) Anderson in Fenton, Iowa. When he was 6 years old, they moved to Kandiyohi, MN where he attended the Kandiyohi School. The family later moved to Raymond where he continued his education at the Raymond School.
On February 7, 1959 he was united in marriage to Elaine Hendrickson at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Raymond. To this union they were blessed with five children; Kim, Timothy, Jeffrey, Mark & Lori. Following their marriage they resided in Willmar, Pennock, Raymond, Bird Island, Lake Lillian, settling in Olivia for 36 years, recently moving to Blomkest. Jiggs & Elaine shared 64 years of marriage.
Jiggs was happiest around heavy equipment including tractors and bulldozers and “playing in the dirt”. His career included farming with family in his younger days, later working with a local excavator specializing with Caterpillars. His love for the Caterpillar turned into his personal business, Anderson Excavating from 1970-1979. He continued his excavating with DeCathelineau Construction in Spicer, MN. In 1986, he became employed by the City of Olivia until retiring in 2006.
Jiggs was a faithful member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Lake Lillian until they closed; he then became a member of the Heart of Jesus Area Faith Community (Bird Island, Olivia, Renville). He was a past member of the Blomkest Sportsmen Club.
His hobbies included collecting tractors, trucks, cars and anything pertaining to farm toys. If you ever stopped at Jiggs’, you probably were given his tour of toys and understood his passion. He especially enjoyed time with family, grandchildren and friends. He was known for his great hugs. Jiggs loved life, and enjoyed every minute to the very end. If you were a friend of Jiggs, you had a lifetime friend.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine; his children: Kim (Ron) Bailey of Olivia, Jeff (Nancy) of Aberdeen, SD, Mark (special friend Samantha Haan) of Lake Lillian and Lori (Carrie) of Willmar; his grandchildren: Mik Bailey, Monica (Freddie) Ridler & Cameron (Kari) Bailey, Josh (Krista) Anderson, Bryan (Sara) Anderson, Sarah (Isaiah) Piotter, Nicole (Jacob) Boehnke, Tyler (fiancé Holly Hoekstra) Anderson, Brayden (special friend Kayla McIver) Anderson, McKenzie (Larry) Bomstad; along with 24 great-grandchildren; his sister, Mary McAuley, Orlando, FL and sisters-in-law, Karen Ziegenhagen of Hutchinson, MN and Jean Anderson of Larimore, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin & Beatrice; siblings, Roger & Janet; son, Timothy; in-laws, Harry & Wilma Hendrickson and numerous other relatives.
Blessed Be His Memory
