Russell (Russ, Pastor Russ, Uncle Russ) Howard Anderson, son of Arnold Howard Anderson and Odessa Marie Paulsen Anderson, was born on July 7, 1946, in Boone, Iowa. He was the second born of four children: His sister, Anita Colleen Anderson, was born on August 22, 1944. His brothers, Roy Lee Anderson and Ray Dean Anderson, were born on March 4, 1954.
Russ was baptized on September 15, 1946, at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Centerville, South Dakota. He was confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, May 17, 1959, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Story City, Iowa. He was ordained as a Lutheran pastor on October 22, 1978. He was a vicar at Grace Lutheran Church, Clearwater, Florida (1976-1977). He was the pastor at four churches: Calvary Lutheran Church. Hendricks, Minnesota and Marble Lutheran Church, Canby, Minnesota (1978-1983): First Lutheran Church, Brookings, SD (1983-1990) and Ascension Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina (1991-2006). While serving at Ascension, Pastor Russ became well known for his ministry to children, especially through his children’s sermons. Many of the parents of these children as well as the children themselves report that they have passed on the lessons in these sermons. Adults would often comment how lucky they were to get two sermons.
Pastor Russ retired on August 1, 2006, and served as a substitute pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina from 2007-2011.
Russ was a graduate of Story City High School, Story City, Iowa (1964); Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa (Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts in 1968 and Master of Arts in Applied Arts in 1972); and Lutheran Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota (Master of Divinity in 1978). While in junior and senior high school he delivered papers, worked on farms, and dug graves in the local cemetery. While in college in Ames he was employed as a draftsman for the Atomic Energy Commission. While in seminary he received compensation from the GI bill.
Russ was inducted into the United States Army on February 24, 1969. He was stationed at Fort Ord, Monterey Bay, California; Fort Sam Houston, San Antonia, Texas; Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver Colorado, and the Third Field Hospital, Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. He was trained as a medic and a surgical technician and served in that capacity in the war.
On September 28, 1973, he married Edna Earle Page (originally from Lake View, South Carolina) in Tucson, Arizona. At the time she was teaching Home Economics Education, and he was teaching Interior Design at the University of Arizona.
Pastor Russ had a very special goddaughter/granddaughter, Grayce Page Boozer. Grayce lived with Pastor Russ and Edna on the weekends and during some school vacations.
He was Russell to his siblings and in-laws; Anita Anderson, Ray and Deb Anderson, Shelly Anderson Kirsch, and Sue Page.
He was Uncle Russ to Ryan Anderson; Brian Anderson, Sarah Frith, Laura Lindorser; Andrea and Zack Kirsch; Steve and Joey Jolley; Susan, Ivy, Amanda, James, Natalie, and Harper and Case Johnson; Amy, Aaron, and AJ Smith; Anna Page and Nicole Godwin; Tami, Arynn and Victoria Hall; Kim, Mark, Cadyn and Gavin Crouse, Cindy, and Todd Reisman; Jordan, Cayce, Knox, and Sloane Reisman; Olivia, Brad, and Kayden Townsend; Debbie, Allen and Luke Everette; Jill, Anthony, Allie and Riley Carroll; Russ, Bayleigh and Ruby Rogers; Ross, Lindsey, Fisher, and Levi Rogers.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Odessa Anderson; his parents-in-law, Rupert and Lutie Page; his brother and in-laws: Roy Anderson; William and Agnes Jollye; Norma and Claude Rosson, Miriam Biggs; Lynn and Norma Jean Page; Ken Page and Carol Rogers; and his nephew Darrell Page.
Russ died on October 22, 2024, in Columbia, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
- Ascension Lutheran Church, Investing in God’s Future at Ascension, Columbia, SC.
- More Justice, Ascension Lutheran Church, Columbia, SC.
- Snack Pack Program, Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Columbia, SC.
- Dr. Edna Page and Rev. Russell Anderson Scholarship, College of Education and Human Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota.
- A memorial of your choice.
Funeral services for Pastor Anderson will be Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Ascension Lutheran Church, 827 Wildwood Avenue, Columbia, SC. Pastor Jackie Utley, Pastor of Ascension, will preside at the service.
Visitation and lunch in Ascension’s Fellowship Hall will follow the service.
Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.
