I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
... Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Jim Anderson
April 12, 1930--March 26, 2012
James Russell Anderson (82) of Iron River, Wisconsin, died, Monday, March 26, 2012 at St Luke’s Hospital Hospice Unit. He was born February 12, 1930 to Emil and Elna Anderson in Duluth, Minnesota. From the age of 2 he spent his summers on Isle Royale helping his family’s commercial fishing operation on Johnson Island.
He graduated from University of Minnesota, Duluth with a degree in Business Administration and Economics and served in the US Army after graduation. Upon discharge from the military, he began his career with Murphy Oil Corporation. Murphy transferred him to their refining operation in southern Louisiana, where he came to love Cajun food, Dixieland jazz, Mardi Gras, and the French Quarter and Garden District of his adopted home, New Orleans. In 1980, he was transferred back to the Superior refinery where he would eventually retire.
After retirement, he and his wife, Marian, moved to Deep Lake in northern Wisconsin where they spent many happy years with many wonderful friends. Each year he continued to return to his beloved Isle Royale, making his last trip in the summer of 2011. He was a phenomenal seaman and fisherman, loving and devoted husband, father, brother, and great friend to many. He will be missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Bobby, and wife Marian (Hammer). He is survived by his daughter Carla Anderson of Seattle, WA (Nancy Ousley), his sister Mary Stepanek of Duluth (Leo Stepanek), nieces, and many dear friends.
Services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (PO Box 688, Iron River, WI, 54847) and Isle Royale Families and Friends Association (1711 Stuart Court, Duluth, MN 55803).