Gary Anderson

Gary Dale Anderson
October 14, 1951 – September 30, 2026

Gary Dale Anderson, 74, passed away on September 30, 2026, leaving behind a family who adored him, a community forever changed by him, and countless people blessed simply because he showed up in their lives.

Gary was born on October 14, 1951, and grew up in Swede Township, North Dakota. He attended Kulm Public School before continuing his education at Northwest College in Seattle. He later transferred to Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, North Dakota, where he graduated in 1974.

Gary married the love of his life, Jeanne Beckstrand, on April 19, 1975. Together, “Mr. A” and “Mrs. A,” as they affectionately called one another, built a life and family they treasured. They were blessed with four children: Stacy Hajek, Steve (Lisa) Anderson, Kristen Anderson, and Lynelle (Ryan) Edwards. Gary was also a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Gary spent his career as an HVAC technician and became wittingly known as “Yoda” within the HVAC community—a fitting nickname for a man everyone seemed to turn to when they needed an answer.  And he almost always had one.

If something was broken, Gary could fix it. If he didn't know how, he would figure it out. Whether it was a vehicle, a home remodel, or just about any project that needed to be done, calling a repairman was rarely the first option. Gary believed there was probably a way to fix it himself.  Even after suffering a massive stroke in 2012, Gary didn't stop. He simply figured out a new way. With the use of only one hand, he continued tackling projects, solving problems and staying busy. Giving up simply wasn't in his nature.

His children knew that when they couldn't figure something out, they could call Dad. There was a good chance he would know what to do—or at least help them find a way. His impact went far beyond the things he could build or repair.  He had a laugh you could recognize anywhere, a smile that lit up a room, and an ability to make a stranger feel like an old friend. He loved to “visit,” and he was generous with his time, his knowledge, his resources and himself. He impacted countless lives not through grand gestures, but simply by showing up.

Above everything else, Gary loved Jesus. His faith wasn't something he kept quietly to himself. He never wanted to miss an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus, and he lived his faith through the way he loved, served and gave to others.  He also loved hunting, fishing, shopping at Menards, and most of all, his family. To his daughters, he was always “Daddy.”  To his son he was the hero, To his wife, he was Mr. A.  And to so many others, he was the guy who would stop, smile, visit, lend a hand and somehow find a way to help.

Gary was larger than life. His laugh, his smile, his stories, his faith, and his generosity will be deeply missed.  Gary was preceded in death by his father, mother and one brother.

He is survived by wife, four children, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, one brother - Lloyd (Loretta), one sister - Diane (Steve) Glenn, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services honoring Gary's life will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026. A service will be held at Northview Church in Fargo, North Dakota, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a second service at Kulm Assembly of God in Kulm, North Dakota, at 3:00 p.m.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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