Marian Andersen
Marian Andersen, 95, of Mitchell, SD formerly of Woonsocket, SD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at Avera Brady Health Care in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Monday, October 19 at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Eventide Cemetery in Woonsocket. The family requests that masks are worn at the service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Marian Burdell (Jensen) Andersen was born on August 26, 1925 to Clifford and Nellie (Heggen) Jensen at the family home near Storla, SD. She joined her older brothers John and Lloyd. She was later joined by brother Willis, sister Ardis, and brothers Bobby and Leslie. Marian spent her early years going to country school and started high school in Letcher, SD. The family moved to Alpena, SD where she graduated from Alpena High School in 1943. There was a need for country school teachers, so she began going to school to become a teacher. Marian then taught country school for nine years. While teaching country school, she met her handsome sailor, Martin Andersen, Jr. who she fondly called Andy. They married on June 18, 1949 in Storla, SD. Marian loved substitute teaching, and was Woonsocket School’s business manager for 30 years, until retiring in 1998.
Marian was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, and was very active in all aspects, including Sunday School, Bible School, Circle, WELCA, Thrivent for Lutherans, and Choir. She was an active member of American Legion Auxiliary Post 29 and the American Cancer Society. Marian was very patriotic and often wore red, white, and blue. She was well-known for her mints, buck shots, and banana split dessert. Marian loved telling stories and singing songs, especially with children. She was very proud of her family, and always enjoyed sharing stories about them and introducing them to people. Marian loved to walk and did so daily, covering many miles in a day. She was a survivor of both polio and cancer, and proudly claimed that she didn’t have an ache or a pain. She and Martin (Andy) lived on the Pony Hills west of Woonsocket until moving to Mitchell in 2016.
She is survived by her daughter, Judy (Dan) Hinker, Woonsocket; son, Jim (Sheri) Andersen, Mitchell; two grandchildren, Luke (Stacy) Andersen, Clear Lake and Jennifer Hinker, Woonsocket; two great-granddaughters, Josie and Laycee Andersen, both of Clear Lake; brothers, Bob (Ruth) Jensen, Alpena, and Leslie (Mary Louise) Jensen, Alpena.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John, Lloyd, and Willis; sister, Ardis Grace; infant sisters, Nellie and Betty Jean; and grandson, Joshua Hinker.