Earl J. Anderson

Earl James Anderson, age 90, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on June 29, 2013 at Good Samaritan, Olathe, Kansas. He was born September 21, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri, the third child of Edward and Alvina (Kruger) Anderson. Earl left high school at the age of 16 to begin work on WPA construction projects to support himself during the post-depression era. He earned his GED in the 1980s. He was a veteran of WWII and served in the 77th Battalion of the Navy Seabees. On October 1, 1943, Earl received the Purple Heart Medal for injuries as a result of enemy action in the South Pacific area. Earl was a retired small business owner and entrepreneur, owning and operating Palm Cleaners, Garnett, Kansas; Tots to Teens Children's Clothing Store, Garnett, Kansas; Mrs. Clean's Laundromats in Garnett, Ottawa, and Paola, Kansas; Mr. Clean's Carwash (the first coin operated car wash in Garnett, Kansas) and Components, Inc., Garnett, Kansas. Earl was active in the Garnett community. He was a member of the Garnett Chamber of Commerce and had served as president. He was also a member of Garnett VFW Post #6397; the Knights of Columbus and the Garnett Rotary Club. He was a member of the Holy Angels Church and very supportive of Holy Angels Catholic School. Earl met his spouse, Mary Margaret (Peine) Anderson in Kansas City while he was working as a service engineer for Butler Manufacturing. They were married on June 12, 1948 at Holy Angels Catholic Church. Earl moved to Garnett in 1948 from Parkville, Missouri to live in his wife, Mary's hometown. After enjoying 54 years of marriage, Mary passed away on March 16, 2003. He was preceded in death by six siblings (all of the St. Louis, Missouri area): June Wisdom; Mary Aurin; Margie Smith; Bud (Vernon) Anderson; Roger Anderson; and Edward Anderson. He is survived by his children, Ann Humbert and husband Jim of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Ed Anderson and wife Pat of Lenexa, Kansas; Mary Rockers and husband Dan of Garnett, Kansas; Jim Anderson and wife Chris of Olathe, Kansas; He delighted in his eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, Jim, Kim and Jake Humbert of Gardner, Kansas; Sandy, Daryl, Clint, Austin and Blayne Chapman of Baldwin, Kansas; Nicole Anderson of Kansas City, Missouri; Sean Anderson of New York City, New York; Dustin Rockers, fianc Danell Wheat, Spencer, and Danielle Rockers of Greeley, Kansas; Melanie, Adam, Grady and Kane Hastert, Manhattan, Kansas; Erin, Ricky, and Maggie Rios, Garnett, Kansas; and Dana Anderson, Lenexa, Kansas. Earl was very outgoing and had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed visiting family and friends and reminiscing about his military service. He enjoyed sports, especially watching Kansas City Chiefs football and KU and K State basketball. He was very patriotic; the American flag was one of his favorite things. He also enjoyed traveling and did so until recently. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 9, 2013, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, with burial following in the Holy Angels Cemetery. A rosary will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday evening at the funeral home with family present to greet friends following. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Rose School. Condolences may be left for the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com