1926-27 American Legion Commander
Unit Company M, 163 Infantry Regiment; Company K, SATC, University of Iowa
Enlistment December 5, 1917
Discharge May 23, 1919
Buried Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, Iowa
Page 263 of the 1981 Manning Centennial History book.
DR. V.R. ANDERSON
Dr. Virgel Raymond Anderson was born in Colorado, the son of Swedish born parents. He was a graduate of the
University of Iowa Dental School, then took military training in Camp Lewis, Washington, and Camp Mills, N.Y.
There, the severe winter caused great exposure and loss of life to hundreds of American boys; there was no
firewood, and only one blanket for each tent, some having none. He was transferred from the Dental Corp before
shipment to overseas duty during World War I, to relieve a dental shortage in the United States.
Dr. Anderson established his dental practice in Manning in 1921, continuing here for 41 years. He had a lifetime membership in the national and Iowa Dental Associations. While in Manning, Dr. Anderson served many civic projects; he was chairman of the Municipal Light & Power Company 20 years, chairman of a remodeling project at the Presbyterian Church, and helped found Manning's library. He served on the Manning School Board eight years and was a member of the American Legion. He died September 13, 1961.
Fern Austin was married to Dr. Anderson in 1919. Her parents, Albert and Georgia Alexander Austin, were born in Hannibal, Missouri, and migrated to Idaho, where Fern was born. Fern's grandparents were born in Vermont and were of English descent; her grandfather served in the Union Army of the Civil War, and later preached 54 years in the Baptist ministry.
Dr. and Mrs. Anderson lived at 333 First Street in Manning 37 years. Their daughters, Marilynn and Donavieve, graduated from Manning High and the University of Iowa.
Marilynn married Dr. C.M. Cole, who graduated from the University of Iowa Medical and Surgical School; he served in World War II in military hospitals, and is now trustee of the American Medical Association. They have two daughters, Cynthia, a lawyer, and Karen, a student at the University of Texas Medical school. The family lives in Dallas, Texas.
Donavieve is married to J.T. Adams, a World War II veteran who served three years in India. He is a University of Iowa law School graduate. Their daughters are June, who is completing an RN course at the University of Fresno, California, and Carmen, in junior high. The family lives in Rancho Park, California.
Fern B. Anderson now lives at 6519 Miles Ave., Huntington Park, California 90255.
Born in Kit Carson County, Colorado, January 2, 1893, to Andrew and Emma (Peterson) Anderson, Dr. Anderson came here as a child and attended Fort Collins schools until his senior year of high school. He was graduated from high school at Iowa City, Iowa, and received a degree from the University of Iowa dental school.
He is survived by his widow, the former Miss Fern Austin of Fort Collins; two daughters, Mrs. Max Cole of Dallas, Texas; and Mrs. James Adams of Marshalltown, Iowa; four brothers; a sister; and three grandchildren.
Two of the brothers, Floyd and Earl Anderson, and the sister, Mrs. Dewey Koeper, live here.
Dentist here since 1921 died of heart attack
Manning Monitor September 21, 1961
Funeral services for Dr. Virgel Raymond Anderson, 68, were held on Saturday at
1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church here with the Rev Carl G. Sinning
officiating. Bonita (Mrs. Henry W.) Hagedorn was organist; Virginia Adams,
Marshalltown, soloist. Burial was at Marshalltown at 5:00 on September 16.
Dr Anderson was born January 2, 1893, near Burlington, Colorado. As a small boy, he moved with his family to a farm near Fort Collins. He attended school there, but spent his senior year at Iowa City, graduating from high school there. He served in World War I, being discharged in 1918. His DDS degree was received in 1919 from the State University of Iowa.
Following graduation, he began practice at Manilla, but moved to Manning in 1921. He was still active as a dentist.
On June 29, 1919, he married Ferne B. Austin at Scottsbluff, Nebraska. They had two daughters, Mrs. Charles M. (Marlynn) Cole, Dallas, Texas, and Mrs. James T. (Donavieve) Adams, Marshalltown. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Cynthia and Karen Cole; and June Adams; also the following brothers and sisters: Lillian Anderson, Earl Anderson, Mrs. Dewey (Wynona) Keoper, and Floyd Anderson, Fort Collins, Colorado; Dr. Lial Anderson, Worland Wyoming; Dr Roland Anderson, Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Everett, in infancy and Dr. Carl Ivan Anderson of Harlan.
Dr. Anderson was active in civic affairs. He is a past Commander of Emil Ewoldt Post, No. 22, American Legion; a past patron of the Eastern Star, a member of Manual Lodge, he served on the school board 7 years, was a member of the town council, a trustee of the Manning Municipal Light Company for 19 years, was active on the library board, and served on the board of trustees of the Presbyterian Church.