Lurdene Anderson, 81, of Miller, passed away Monday, August 10, 2009 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services were Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the United Methodist Church, Miller with Rev. Nels Esterby officiating. Burial was in Riverview Cemetery in Chamberlian.

Lurdene Amy Hickins was born at her parent’s home (the Cook place) in rural Jerauld County on January 21, 1928. She was the oldest of six children born to Walter Edward and Olive Leta (Bailey) Hickins. Lurdene joined two older siblings, a half-brother, Chet Reasoner, and a half-sister, Clara Reasoner.

Lurdene attended the Hall School for the first four years and graduated 8th grade at Crow Lake School. It was a typical one-room school with one teacher for all eight grades. She attended high school in Wessington Springs and later in Gann Valley where she graduated. During these years she often worked outside with her father and they did almost all their work with horses. Lurdene had a deep love for horses which she shared with her father and later with her husband and family.

Jimmie Lee Anderson stole Lurdene’s heart for life and they married on Sept. 22, 1945 in Miller, SD. Lurdene began the life she loved as a ranch wife/partner and part-time school teacher. They worked for neighboring ranchers for awhile, then Christenson Ranches, and in 1955, they moved to south Hand County. Jim managed the Fullerton Ranch and they were there for 40 years. That was where they raised their family.

Jim and Lurdene had two children, Dixie Lee and Jimmie Lynn. They also finished raising three nephews, Dennis, Everett, and Bruce Lawver. A fourth nephew, Rodney Lawver, spent many summers in the Anderson home.

In 1995, Jim and Lurdene purchased the George Anderson farm in north Buffalo County, just 6.5 miles away from the Fullerton Ranch. They left the ranch that they cared for as their own and began a new adventure together. The couple would remain here until Jim’s death on June 9, 2006. Lurdene spent a couple of months with Jimmie and Shirley in Huron before moving to her present home in Miller, SD.

Lurdene dearly loved her husband, family, Pleasant Valley Church family, horses, and ranch life. She also loved to read simply because of the joy she got from learning. She always said her family had been blessed with great neighbors, too.

Lurdene is survived by her son, Jimmie (Shirley) of Huron, SD; nephew/foster-son Everett (Darla) Lawver of Pierre, SD; grandchildren, Crystal (Jeremiah) Anderson-Knutson of Cheyenne, WY, Colleen (Levi) Anderson-Connell of Miller, SD, Clay (Brittany) Anderson of Aberdeen, SD, Vince Krog of Kailua, Hawaii, Wendy Krog of San Francisco, CA, Peter (Juniper) Krog of Kailua, Hawaii, Deborah (Dave) Krog-Wile of Kailau, Hawaii Christina (Randy) Lawver-Hanson of Fargo, ND, Rebekah (Matt) Lawver- Boyer of Forest City, IA; sister, Jackie (Perry) Stevanus of Box Elder, SD; Brother, Roger (Carol) Hickins of Mason City, IA; special nephew, Rodney Lawver of Puyallup, WA; 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lurdene was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Anderson; daughter, Dixie Anderson-Krog, father, Walter Hickins; mother, Leta Hickins; 2 brothers, Vernon Hickins and Lloyd Hickins; sister, Ruth Hickins-Lawver; half-brother, Chet Reasoner; half-sister, Clara Reasoner DeJong; 2 nephews/foster-sons, Dennis Lawver and Bruce Lawver.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Lurdene’s arrangements. Visit www.familyfuneralhome.net

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