Marshall Dale Anderson

Marshall D. Anderson, age 97, passed away in Roseville, MN on November 3, 2023.  He was born in Eveleth, MN to Hildum and Martha Anderson.  After graduating from Eveleth High School, he served in the Army Air Force during WWII.  Marshall graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 1950 with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering. 

He married the love of his life Marcia Johnson of Eveleth on September 30, 1950 and they raised six children in Roseville, MN.  Marshall retired in 1987 and he and Marcia moved to their Bay Lake home near Deerwood.  Marshall was devoted to his family and his family adored him.  Marshall loved being outdoors.  He enjoyed spending time with family members boating, camping, playing volleyball, fishing, skating (and creating an ice rink for them in the back yard each winter), swimming, waterskiing, playing cards and games, target practice, and reading to them.  Marshall had a terrific sense of humor, superb insights, and emphasized to all to always “take the high road.”

Marshall first worked for private and public employers as a structural engineer.  He then worked for 21 years with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) of St. Paul as Civil Engineer and as its Housing Director.  During that time, the HRA built its 16 hi-rise buildings providing over 2,550 dwelling units for the elderly, built or purchased over 403 homes for single families, and built 437 dwelling units in row houses for families.  

In 1977 Marshall initiated a state law that separated public housing from the HRA and City government, thus creating the St. Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA).  This law allowed public housing residents to have two representatives on the new PHA board, giving them a voice on board policies that impacted them.  Marshall became the PHA’s first Executive Director and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1987.  He also served as a Director on the board of the City and County Credit Union and the Metro Council Housing Committee.

In addition to his wife, Marshall is survived by their six children, daughters Lynn Anderson, Kay Chambers (Thomas), Noreen Olson (Kevin), Jean Aukee (Dale), and sons Keith (Ellen) and Roger (Lara).  He was also loved and admired by his ten grandchildren, Jessica Brosvik (Brandon), Stephanie Stack (Bryan), Drew Chambers (Britta), Jeffrey Chambers (Pin-Chen), Rachel Kosciolek (Blake), Ross Olson (Heidi), Tyler Olson (Nikki), Stacy Hensche (Derek), Britta Aukee, Esko Aukee (Jess), and 12 great grandchildren Victor Brosvik; Bella Stack; Roscoe and Bowen Chambers; Millie Chambers; Branch Kosciolek; Cameron, Emmett and Amelia Olson; Jordan and Brooklyn Olson; and Harper Hensche.  Marshall is also survived by his sister Renée Burleigh and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  

Marshall was preceded in death by his parents, sister Genevieve, and brother Glenn. 

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, November 16 with visitation at 9:30am, service at 11:00am and luncheon to follow at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 8211 Red Oak Dr., Mounds View. MN.  Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Lutheran Social Services.

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