Warren Richard Anderson

Warren Richard Anderson, age 72, went home to be with his Lord, November 27, 2007 after a courageous battle with cancer. Warren was born April 23, 1935 at Clay Center, Kansas, the son of Herbert and Berta Hundley Anderson. He grew up in the Clay Center area, attending the schools and was in the high school class of 1953. Warren served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War period, being stationed in Germany with the 1st Division. He was always proud that his father and all five of his brothers were also in the service. Warren was a life member of the V.F.W. and the American Legion. After completing his service time, he returned to Clay Center where he met the next door neighbor girl that was to become the love of his life and best friend. Warren and Barbara Forkner were married January 17, 1959 at the First Baptist Church in Clay Center. The early years of marriage were spent farming near Clifton, Kansas on the family farm. He left the farm to attend Fort Hays State College where he obtained a B.S. in Business Administration. While attending college, he was a charter member of the business fraternity, Phi Beta Lambda. Warren was employed by the Hays Police department during the college years and received a letter of commendation for his help in getting an organ transplant to the recipient. Following graduation, Warren traveled for his business and in 1970, he started an insurance agency in Russell, Kansas, where the family lived until 1975 when he was transferred to Lawrence, Ks. During the years they were in Russell, they were foster parents to 8 children. Warren and Barbara worked together in the insurance business until retirement in 1996 when they moved back to their hometown of Clay Center. Warren was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather to his family and always felt family was very important to him. He enjoyed watching all the school functions and especially loved camping in Colorado and fishing at Clinton Lake with them. His grandchildren always thought that grandpa could fix anything and he tried to please them by trying to do that. He was a skilled carpenter and loved to remodel homes and build things. His retirement years gave him time to work on his church and to help others. Warren will leave the memory for his family and friends of the faith and courage that he displayed as he battled the cancer. Warren was preceded in death by sons, Troy and Dane, his parents Herbert and Berta Anderson, brothers, Howard, Martin, and Francis, sisters, Iola, Barbara Jean, and Charlotte. Survivors include his wife Barbara, of the home, son Eric and wife Lori, Lingle, Wyoming, daughter Lisa and husband Andy Contreras, Cibolo, Texas, daughterin-law, Jennifer Anderson, Sammamish, Washington, mother-in-law, Rosalie ForknerRose, Torrington, Wy., brothers, Donald and wife Joyce, Wellington, Dan Anderson, Sabetha, and sister Gladys Van Amburg, Derby, Ks. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Jane Forkner, Plano, Texas, and Nancy Forkner, Torrington, Wy. Warren is survived by grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, Erica, Anne, Andrea, Alexis, and Denny and great grandchildren, Dakota, Dallie, Dillon, Paige, Cordell, Jaiden, Ethan, and Blake. and several nieces and nephews. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church, Clay Center with Dr. James Beck officiating. Interment will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery with full military honors. Taps will be played by his son-in-law, Andy Contreras. Visitation will be Friday from 3-8pm at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home. Memorial may be made to the First Baptist Church or Meadowlark Hospice, in care of the funeral home.