Margie Anderson Wally Anderson

Margie Anderson and Wally Anderson of Apache Junction, Ariz., formerly of 605 17th St. W, Clear Lake, passed away within days of each other.  Marjorie D. Anderson, 90, went home to be with her Lord Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa, Ariz., after suffering a stroke the week prior.  Wallace L. Anderson, 90, went up to meet her just six days later on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at home in Apache Junction. Both were surrounded by family at the end. 

Margie was born on May 24, 1922 in rural Columbia, Mo.  She had an older brother, Chip, and older sister, Alberta. She rode horseback to school and was a standout guard on the Hattan High School basketball team. After high school Margie went on to graduate from Chillicothe, Mo., Business School in 1942. She worked as a bookkeeper for the Soil Conservation Service in Columbia.  Margie enjoyed gardening, canning vegetables, needlepoint, quilting, golf, playing cards and walking daily. 

Wally was born on Feb. 4, 1923 in Walcott, N.D.  He was the third son of six children; brothers, Harris and Lyle, and sisters, Lorriane, Betty and Dorothy. The family later moved to Fargo where Wally graduated high school. He went to North Dakota State University and Ohio State University prior to entering the US Army.  He was shipped overseas to Europe and saw action in France, Belgium, and Germany.  He was the first Sergeant of his company and served in the ninth army.  He sustained a head injury on Thanksgiving Day during the Battle of the Bulge and was hospitalized in England for six months. Upon returning home, he began working for Great Lakes Pipeline Co., later named Williams Brothers Pipeline Co. He married Carole M. (Chelgren) and raised five children together.  After the death of his first wife, Wally and Margie were married on Dec. 20, 1976 at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake, where they lived until retirement. Wally enjoyed golf, playing cards, walks, singing in the church choir and volunteering in the Lions Club and later as controller of the Queen Valley fire department. Wally retired on his birthday Feb. 4, 1988. During his 42 years of employment he never missed a day of work for sickness.  

Wally and Margie retired to Queen Valley near Apache Junction in 1989 and spent 22 years enjoying the beautiful views of Superstition Mountains and the desert below from their home. In winter they golfed daily and enjoyed walks, and during the hot summer months, they traveled across America visiting family and friends. In 2011 they moved into Horizon Bay in Apache Junction. 

Wally and Margie leave five children; James Anderson and wife, Sue, of Tallula, Ill.; William Anderson and wife, Tina, of Mesa, Ariz.; Susan Gould and husband, John, of Rapid City, S.D.; Forrest Hudson and wife, Pat, of Overland Park, Kan.; and Kristi Barrientos and husband, Omar, of Ames, Iowa. The couple also has 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, as well as a host of extended family.  

Wally was preceded in death by his eldest son, Michael R. Anderson.