Randy Andersen

Randy Andersen, 62, of Clive, Iowa, died Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022, at his home.

Randall Lee Andersen was born on Oct. 18, 1960, in Atlantic, Iowa, the son of Roger Lyle and Karen Kay (Turnure) Andersen.  There was nothing that could have prepared them for his endless energy; he was all boy times two!  To give you an idea of how ornery he was, when the phone rang Karen grabbed Randy first and then the phone because goodness knows what he would get into during that time.  As a kid, he loved to ride horses, snowmobile, motorcycle, waterski and let’s not forget the elaborate fort he built; his parents thinking it was just a “normal” kid fort but no it was quite the build.  He attended Elk Horn Community Schools through the fifth grade and graduated from Ventura High School in 1979.  Following high school, he worked a few odd jobs until enlisting in the United States Navy in the Spring of 1980.  In the fall of 1980, he suffered a traumatic injury that left him as a quadriplegic for the last 42 years.  Randy received therapy following his accident at Winning Wheels in Prophetstown, Ill. and then lived in Sterling, Ill.  

He was blessed with children, Stephen, Jared, Joshua, Dru and Kiara.  Randy’s kids brought measureless joy to his life; they were everything to him.  He later lived in Tiffin, Iowa from 2009-2016, until moving to Des Moines where he began the house hunt.  Randy was so proud of himself that he made the decision on what he felt was the perfect home and had a place that he could call his own; waking up the morning after looking at it and saying that’s the one we need to make an offer.

Even after his accident he maintained a great attitude; he was a light in not only his families lives, but also all who cared for him.  There was never a doubt how thankful Randy was for everyone in his life, telling Karen countless times, “I am thankful for you, Mom!”  Randy’s smile lit up the room and he knew how to make you laugh!  When others would ask how he felt he would say, “with my hands,” and when asked how did you sleep, “with my eyes closed.”  He kept busy on the computer chatting with family and friends and making sure his Farmville was operating at its best.  

Randy’s radiant smile will be deeply missed by his mother, Karen Turnure; children, Stephen (Missy) Andersen, Jared (Lindsey) Andersen, Joshua Andersen, Dru Andersen and Kiara (Dylan) Rhodes; grandchildren, Jayna, Jazmine, Emma, Hadley, Ainzley, Mialya, Kendra, Truman and Elliott; siblings, Teresa (Thad) Scarrow, Mark Andersen and Steve (Kim) Andersen; lifelong special friend, Tina Gaubatz; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Roger Andersen and daughter, Kristen Randolph.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.  Burial, with military honors by the Elk Horn American Legion Post #322 and United States Navy Honor Guard, will be held in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation with the family present will be held prior to the service at the church starting at 10 a.m.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Randall’s family and his arrangements.  Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.