The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Lifelong Rosburg resident Norman Elmer Anderson, 98, died in Forks, Wash., Aug. 23, 2014, a mere four days short of his 99th birthday.

Norman was born in Astoria, Aug. 27, 1915, after his mother took a boat across the Columbia River, staying with a friend in Astoria, awaiting his arrival. His parents were Hjalmar and Minnie (Peterson) Anderson.

Norman attended the Seal River school in Rosburg, traveling there by row boat through the sixth grade. Seventh and eight grades were at Riverside Grade and Norman was a 1932 graduate of Naselle High School.

Following graduation Norman worked on the family farm in Rosburg, performed road maintenance, drove school bus and worked a year for Eastern-Western Logging Company. On Dec. 16, 1942 he was drafted into the Army, serving in the South Pacific Theatre during World War II as an infantryman with the 43rd Signal Company. He was honorably discharged in Nov. 1945.

Returning to Rosburg, Norman secured a job with the KM division of the Washington State Highway Department, retiring in 1978 after 32 years of service.

Norman was very active and much a part of the community he loved. He became a member of Grays River Grange 124 in 1924 and served as an officer the following 70 years. In 1938 he joined VASA Lodge District 13 and here too served in official capacities while a member. In 1946 he joined and became an active member of the American Legion, attending nearly every Legion state convention over the years. Norman became a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1949 and when the local post closed he transferred to the Cathlamet post.

Following retirement Norman stayed busy repairing the Rosburg Hall and mowing the Rosburg Cemetery. He and his beloved wife, Myrtle also loved to travel, having visited every state in the union and nearly every Canadian province.

He married Myrtle Miller on May 12, 1951, in Onalaska, Wash. They were married 61 years until her death in 2012. Not only did Norman gain himself a wife but also four young sons, three of whom survive, Bob (Thelma) Miller of Deep River, Wash., Jerry Miller of Naselle and Don (Clarissa) Miller of Forks. Also surviving are three nieces, Katherine Coleman of Pleasant Hills, Calif., Karen Shermerhorn of Mt. Vernon, Wash., and Barbara Rauch of Vancouver; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great grandchildren; two great-nephews and three great-nieces.

In addition to his wife, Norman was preceded by his parents; a son, Ted; a granddaughter, Linda; and a brother, Dale.

A graveside service with full military honors is planned for 1 p.m. Sept. 20 at Rosburg Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Rosburg Hall to which everyone is welcome.

Those wishing may make contributions in Norman’s memory to the Rosburg Hall Fund or the Rosburg Cemetery Fund in care of Rosburg Hall, P.O. Box 123, Rosburg, WA 98643.

Arrangements are by Penttila’s Chapel by the Sea, Long Beach. A guestbook is available on-line at http://www.penttilaschapel.com.