Arthur Erwin Anderson

He was born June 6, 1926 in Shelby, to Miriam (Dennis) Anderson and Erwin O. Anderson. Art was raised on a dairy farm during the Depression, in a time and place that honored community, frugality and resourcefulness. After graduating from Shelby High School, he enlisted in the Navy Air Force and was entering pilot training just as the war ended. He attended the University of Michigan under the GI bill, graduating with a bachelor of arts degree. While there, he lived in a co-op house where his friendships with students from all over the world helped him broaden his perspective and hone his personal values of justice and equality. In the late 1940’s he participated in one of the first sit-ins in the nation to integrate restaurants in Ann Arbor.

During his last year at the university, Art married fellow student and co-op member, Maureen Golden, of Dearborn.

In 1962 Art and his family, now including his four children, moved to the Copper Country where he worked as an insurance salesman. A nature lover and an ardent fisherman, Art always considered it a real privledge to be able to raise his family in this beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula with its interesting history and people. His favorite project was the rebuilding of the ruined White City powerhouse in Jacobsville, which he made into a family summer camp, using salvage materials from tear-downs throughout the area, including Calumet and Hecla. His family continues to gather there every year.

Art belonged to the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, was a life member of the Houghton County Historical Association, and participated in other community organizations over the years. He was especially active in the first volunteer hospice in the area, Portage Lake Hospice.

Art’s family and those who knew him, will always cherish their memories of his warm and radient smile; his kind heart and deep sense of empathy for others; and his playful creative and inventive spirit.

Survivors include, Maureen, his wife of 70 years; his children, Valerie DePriest (William) of Oak Park, Illinois, Craig (Margaret) of Bandon, Oregon, Gayle Gingrich (Mark Kaley) of Bloomington, Indiana, and Brian (Cecilia) of Elgin, Illinois. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Angela Anderson of Elmhurst, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were a brother, Charles; and a sister, Dorothy Robinson.

A memorial gathering will be held in the summer of 2021. Burial will be in Jacobsville cemetery. The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is in charge of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to oneilldennisfh.com.