Kenneth Ward Anderson
Kenneth Ward Anderson, age 82, of Elwell, MI returned to his Heavenly Father on September 2, 2023. Ken was born on July 27, 1941 to Ward and Wava (Andrews) Anderson in Alma, MI.
Ken attended St. Louis High School where he was a skilled athlete, excelling in basketball and football, and was a friend to all who knew him. After graduating in 1960, Ken worked at a variety of places until he entered the Michigan State Police Academy, graduating in 1967.
After completing recruit school he was briefly assigned to the Lapeer, MI post. Then he returned to his home area as a trooper at the Ithaca State Police post. In 1978 Ken was promoted to Sergeant and took a position at the Bay City post as a fire safety inspector. In 1982 he was promoted to lieutenant and relocated to Gladwin as the team commander, where he remained until 1989 when he was promoted again and finished his career back in his home area as the Ithaca Post Commander. Ken retired in 1992. After retirement he took a job with the Michigan Department of Corrections as a fire inspector and worked in that capacity at the St. Louis and the Standish locations. He retired completely in 1993.
Throughout his accomplished and decorated career, he raised three children with his wife, Dixie (LaCross) of Alma, who preceded him in death in 2007. Ken and Dixie were high school sweethearts and were married in November of 1959. In the little free time he had, Ken loved to hunt, fish and work on home improvement projects, and he continued to play football and basketball into adulthood. Ken was loved by so many people for his immense selflessness, his amazing sense of humor, and his unmatched work ethic.
Ken is survived by his children, Melvin (Diane) Anderson of Weidman, MI; Kipton (Lynda) Anderson of Midland, MI; and Tonya White of Kuna, ID; his grandchildren, Victoria, Keaton, Nicholas, Aaron, Megan, Dukati, Anderson, Zanlen, and Traxler; his great-grandchildren, Brodie, Brooklyn, Brogan, Easton, and Kaitlynn; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Ward and Wava (Andrews) Anderson; his brothers, Walter and Ricky Anderson; and his sister, Darlene Hansen; and his wife of 47 years, DixieLee (LaCross).
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.