Obituary of Roy Andersen

Roy Melvin Andersen, age 82 of Surprise, Arizona and formerly of Genoa, Colorado passed away September 23, 2005 in Surprise, Arizona. Roy was born December 8, 1922 on the family farm near Genoa, Colorado to Iler and Edith (Peterson) Andersen. Roy attended school in Genoa and Brighton, Colorado and graduated from Hugo High School. Following graduation he attended Colorado State University until he was needed back on the family farm since his brother Don was called to serve in World War II. Roy married Opal Johnson on September 15, 1945 in Genoa, Colorado. Roy and Opal farmed and ranched in the Genoa area for many years and enjoyed 52 years of marriage until her death in January of 1997. We remember and honor Opal today as a most faithful helpmate, wife, and loving Mother and Grandmother. On August 31, 1997 Roy married Kathryn Clark of Surprise, Arizona. They enjoyed 8 years of marriage. They both felt the Lord brought them together and were a blessing to each other. Kathryn nurtured and cared for Roy during his fight with diabetes and the family is very thankful for her loving care and compassion. Roy was always very active in the Lord’s work from helping with church projects at the Genoa United Methodist Church to building the new addition to the Full Gospel Assembly in Limon. In 1979 Roy and Opal traveled to Israel were Roy was baptized in the river Jordan. While in Arizona he attended Happy Trials Fellowship and was particularly thankful for the many visits by Pastor Stuep. The family will always remember the circle of held hands and prayer that Roy led each time they met. Roy served several terms on the Genoa School Board as wall as a term on the Lincoln County Hospital Board. He was a member and Past President of the Colorado Seed Growers Association and was the recipient of the Master Seedman Award. He loved the land and truly enjoyed being a farmer. He was also a member of the Genoa Lyons Club, a 4-H leader, little league coach, and Sunday school teacher. Roy was a master marksman and enjoyed rifle shooting contests in his younger years. He particularly looked forward to deer and elk hunting with his father and brother and later with his son in law Gary and grandsons Jeff and Doug Gnas. Roy was preceded in death by Opal, and infant son Greg Andersen, his parents Edith and Iler Andersen, sister Jewell McHone, brother Donald Andersen, two sisters in law Shirley Andersen and Ann Jackubowsky and two brothers in law Vernon McHone and Leo Johnson. Roy is survived by his wife Kathryn Andersen of Surprise, son Bruce and wife Janet Andersen of Kit Carson, CO; daughter Sue and husband Gary Gnas of Dolores, CO. Grandchildren Aaron and wife Staci Andersen and their children Mikaila, and Bryanna of Longmont, CO; Seth Andersen of LaQuinta,CA; Jeff and wife Kassy Gnas and their son Iler of Cortez, CO; Doug and wife Corynn Gnas of Chandler, AZ, Seth and wife Lucy Kravig of Mesa, AZ, Kara and husband Bruce Haas and their children Anthony, Andy, and Zach of Limon, CO; one brother Lee Andersen of Genoa, CO and a sister-in-law Joan Andersen of Genoa, CO. Also surviving are Kathryn’s children Pat, Byron, Libby, Randy and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at the Genoa United Methodist Church in Genoa Colorado with Rev. Frank and Linda Hoover Officiating. Burial followed in the Genoa Community Cemetery with Pastor Eric Kilborn officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Genoa United Methodist Church 203 Main St Genoa, CO 80818 or the Tri-State Kidney Dialysis Center in care of the Kit Carson State Bank 1574 Rose Ave. Burlington, CO 80807.