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Kenneth W. Anderson, age 78 of North Branch.

Ken was born in Minneapolis, MN at the Swedish Hospital on March 11, 1936. Died in North Branch, MN on December 11th, 2014 at home with family present.  
Ken grew up in New Hope, MN on the family homestead helping with their small orchard during the Great Depression. Ken graduated from Vocational High School in Minneapolis, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota and was a 1960 Graduate with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.  He was also a member of the Delta Kappa Phi. Ken went on to obtain an advanced degree from Yale University in Traffic Engineering. Ken worked for the Department of Transportation in both Minnesota and Utah as a State and County Traffic Engineer.  He was a registered Civil Engineer in Minnesota and an active member of the Institute for Transportation Engineers.  He was Chisago County Highway Engineer (1996-2001) a member of Taylor Falls Historical Society, an active member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church of Almelund, MN and President of Anderson Engineering.

Ken volunteered his time on many different planning commissions and councils throughout the years.  He enjoyed his private pilot’s license, was a lifetime member of the Minnesota Street Rod Association, (# L -396) as well as the Midwest Mopar Car Club.

Ken enjoyed history, theater, car shows, swap meets, restoring cars, street rods, “Back to the 50's”, family parties and events and truly loved all his family and friends. Ken was a very compassionate, caring and giving person who will be missed deeply by all who had the honor and pleasure to know him.

He is preceded in death by parents Olaf and Elsie Anderson; and step-daughter Doreen Mills.  Ken is survived by wife Darlene; children Amy (Donald) Barber, Karen (Ronald) Ruckdashel, Christine Mills, Michael (Jodi) Mills, and John Mills and Jenni Lawrence; grandchildren Jacob Lockhart, India Ruckdashel, Jaelynn (Kevin) Maki, Brianna (Paul) Haas, Kelsey Ruckdashel, Ryan (Tanya) Wiggert, Nicholas Mills, Kayly Mills, and Max Mills; great grandchildren Raymond Haas, Mia Maki, and River Lily Mills;  brother Gerald (Theresa) Anderson; nieces Cindy and Carol Anderson, nephew David (Karen) Anderson; and many other relatives & friends.

Funeral Service 11 a.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Almelund.  Visitation 4-8 p.m. Friday at Grandstrand Funeral Home in North Branch and one hour prior to service at church.  Private Family Interment.  Memorial are preferred.
Condolences may be left online at www.grandstrandfh.com

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