Carl R. (Andy) Andersen 1923-2012

The undeniable force of nature known as Andy was born Carl R. Andersen on June 28, 1923 in Ralston, Nebraska to Knud B. and Hannah Rholf Andersen, the second of four children. The Andersen family grew up in the Benson area. He and his older brother Henry had many neighborhood friends; Andy spoke of watching a neighbor boy named Nile Kinnick deliver newspapers. He attended Adams Elementary school and Omaha Tech High school. Following high school, he enlisted in the Navy, following in his brother Hank's footsteps. After training at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois, he was assigned to the USS Astoria and later the battleship USS Mississippi. Andy was a Boatswain's Mate First Class, the guy with the whistle that woke you up each day. (As children we learned to hate that whistle. That's how he woke US up too!). He was Honorably Discharged on June 30, 1948, having earned the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal 3 stars, American Area Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal (no surprise there), and World War II Victory Medal. Upon his discharge, he moved to Armstrong Iowa to work on his Uncle Earl's farm. While in Northwest Iowa Andy met a local teacher named Joanne Shaw. They married in Joanne's hometown of Shenandoah Iowa on August 12, 1950. Andy's true calling was radio, and after a few stints in smaller radio stations the young couple made it back to Shenandoah. During their first years here, they gave birth to three fabulous children, Janis, Dan and Barb. In 1961 he began a long and illustrious career at KMA radio. Starting out as a local salesman and sportscaster, he moved up the ranks until he was made Station Manager at KMA. He loved KMA and farm broadcasting and was lucky enough to take many trips abroad to learn about foreign farming methods. He visited every continent on earth except South America and Antarctica. He retired from KMA in 1984 so he could golf full time. He continued to enjoy traveling and golfing during retirement until a series of strokes in 2004 restricted his movement. Andy passed quietly on December 3, 2012. Preceding Andy in death were his parents, Knud B. and Hannah Andersen; brother, Henry Petr; and sisters, Margie and Joann. He is survived by his children, Janis Faller (Jeff) of Lincoln, NE, Dan of Tacoma, WA, and Barb Andersen Rogers (John) of Omaha, NE; grandchildren, Alyssa Faller Carlson (Shawn) and Andrew Faller (Kiley) and great grandchildren, Owynn Alyssa Carlson and Ezra Michael Carlson, all of Lincoln, NE.

Andy was an amazing presence and his influence will be felt for years to come.

A celebration of Andy's life will be held this spring to share your favorite Andy stories. Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Country Club and Golf Course.