Clarence “Cal” Anderson was born and raised in Negaunee, MI. After graduating from Negaunee High in 1947, Cal joined the Army-Air Corp, soon to be the Air Force. He started out playing basketball for the Air Force as he quickly moved up the ranks to finally retire after 20 years as a Senior Master Sergeant in Personnel Plans. Cal then went into Civil Service and served our country for another 13 years. One of his many commendations was for staffing NORAD. After retiring Cal worked for a number of years at The Lord’s Vineyard and Graner Music as a bookkeeper.
Shortly after joining the military, Cal married his high school sweetheart, Norma Koskinen. They were married April 29, 1950 by Bishop Herman Paige in Negaunee. Norma joined Cal in St. John’s Newfoundland, Canada where their first 2 children were born. They continued their travels with the Air Force being stationed in New Jersey, California, Canada again, Wisconsin, and finally Colorado Springs.
Besides his family, Cal had three things in life that brought him great joy – working for the Lord, singing, and the Green Bay Packers. Cal, along with his wife Norma, served the Lord in many capacities. He served on the vestry for Holy Spirit Episcopal Church and Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. He sang in the choir, had solos and sang in cantatas. He was a chaplain at Penrose Hospital, volunteered at Mission Medical, was a member of the Stephen Ministry, brought communion to homebound church members, was a member of the Order of Saint Luke, and sponsored a refugee family from Sudan. We will never know the number of people whose lives were touched by Cal’s spiritual leadership. He was a Barbershop Chorus member for many years being a part of the America the Beautiful Chorus and several quartets. He was also a proud owner of mountain property and active member of 4Mile Land Association.
Cal has now joined his wife in the arms of the Lord and we know they had a wonderful reunion. He leaves behind his children: Kay C. Mast, Steve (Maureen) Anderson, Jeanne Schmidt, Laura (Bob) Uhlenhopp all of Colorado Springs; grandchildren: Dawn (Terry) Fizer of AL, Stephanie (Randy) Streeter, Brian Anderson, Lowell (Tessa Vera) Karl, Shannon Karl, Kayleigh (Paul) Sheble all of Colorado Springs, Todd (Kara) Karl of Fort Collins, Tom Schmidt, Joe (Jennifer) Schmidt of Denver; great-grandchildren: Alexis and Reagan Fizer, Austin Streeter, Mason Schmidt, Grace and Will Karl, Sterling, Zain, Rose, and Alexandria Sheble; his sister, Nancy Kamppinen of Ishpeming, MI; brother-in-law, Robert Koskinen of San Diego, CA; and 6 nieces.
The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Broadmoor Court for their care, support, and love. Dad, we will miss you more than we can say, but you are now free of pain and with your loving sweetheart again. The Lord bless you and keep you always.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016 at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1318 North Circle Drive.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online Condolences:
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