Nels Harry Andersen of Deary died Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at Kindred Care and Rehab Center in Lewiston. He was 77.
Nels was born Aug. 7, 1937, at Red Bluff, Calif., to Knudt K. and Opal D. Pitkin Andersen. He grew up and went to school in Vina, Calif., and graduated from Los Molino High School. He served in the Army in Korea for two years and four years in the Army Reserves.
He attended Oregon Technical School in Klamath Falls before going to work for the University of Wyoming and was sent to Somalia, Africa, for four years with them. He moved to the Troy-Deary area and went to work for McGregor Company as a hydraulic machinist, retiring from there in 2009. He was respected among farmers for his work with them. He enjoyed designing and building equipment and was good at repairing small engines. Locally, he helped with search and rescue and the Civil Air Patrol and the Troy-Deary Gun Club.
Nels was a member of Olivet Masonic Lodge #205, Sacramento Scotish Rite Bodies and Ben Ali Shrine in Sacramento and the Red Bluff and Moscow Elks Lodges, as well as the NRA.
He is survived by his children, Lawrence Kay Andersen and Kristin Louise Andersen, and four grandchildren. He also leaves his sisters, Jean Holmes of Deary and Darlene Slind of Longview, Wash., and brothers Arthur Andersen of Deary and Karl and Frank Andersen both of Vina, Calif., and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held in Corning, Calif., with his parents. The family suggests memorials be made to the Shriners' Children's Hospital, PO Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel, Moscow, and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
