Obituary of Alan W. Anderson

The Rev. Alan W. Anderson, 77, of Jamestown, died Saturday March 25, 2023, in Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. A native of Slayton, MN, he was born November 13, 1945, a son of the late Clifford and Ethel Christensen Anderson. He was a 1967 graduate of University of Minnesota, served two years in the Peace Corps in Malawi and later went on to graduate from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, OH. He served in the National Guard from 1970-72. As a Lutheran pastor, he served Zion Lutheran Church, Frewsburg, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Eggertsville, NY and Bethel Lutheran Church, Jamestown until his retirement in 2018. Prior to his ministry he was employed as a psychologist in Minnesota at Faribault State Hospital and in Pennsylvania as MIS director for the Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potters Counties Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Drug and Alcohol Programs. He was a member of the Frewsburg Lions Club and served on the boards of directors of the Lutheran Social Services, G.A. Home, and the Lutheran House at Chautauqua Institution. Always proud of his Swedish Heritage, Alan was a longtime member of Thule Lodge and its Folk Dancers. He thoroughly enjoyed the dancers' 2018 trip to Sweden. Surviving is his wife Suellen Carlson, whom he married May 28, 1983; two children Luke Anderson of Philadelphia and Jenna (Mark) Buchner of Grand Rapids, MI; a sister Luine (John) Runquist of New Brighton, MN; sister in law Janelle (Randy) LaFond of Murrells Inlet, SC; nieces and nephews Jay (Patricia) Runquist, Eric (Liz) Runquist, Lindsay Elliott and Eric (Melissa Knopp) Laubenthal and great niece and nephews Luna, Owen and Crosby Runquist. He was preceded in death by a brother Neil Anderson. A memorial service will be held at 11 am April 14, 2023, in First Lutheran Church. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service in the church. Memorials may be made to Lutheran Foundation, 715 Falconer Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131, or Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Road, Jamestown, NY 14701. You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfunerahome.com.