Shawn Anderson

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at Laufersweiler Palmer and Sons Funeral Home, Gowrie. Private family services and burial will be held.

Shawn was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Duane (Andy) and Oda Anderson on April 4th, 1960. He is the fifth of six children and has lived in Gowrie his whole life.

Shawn was part of the last graduating class of 1978 from Prairie Community School and attended Iowa Central Community College, where he attained a degree in Business Administration.

On January 14, 1983, he was united in marriage to JoAnn Lentsch at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Fort Dodge. The couple established their home in Gowrie, where they raised their three children. Shawn loved the outdoors, especially fishing, hunting and bird watching, as well as being an avid storm chaser. He enjoyed listening to music; including Drum and Bugle Corps, Molly B. Polka Party, and Big Band Music. But above all else, he enjoyed spending time with his family the most. The grandchildren especially liked his silly songs and still mimic them to this day. Shawn enjoyed being active in his community of Gowrie by serving on the 4th of July parade committee for many years, organizing the flyovers for Memorial Day, and serving on the city board and various other committees.

Shawn spent 50 years of his life working at Bruntlett Elevator. Beginning in 1974 at the age of 14, he was tasked with sweeping the floors and other custodial duties after school. From there he progressed to working in the office answering the phones and doing the ticketing for customer orders. He then went on to become Co-Owner of Bruntlett alongside his father Duane (Andy). After his father retired from the business in 1995, Shawn bought the business, becoming the President, CEO, and Manager and he worked as such until the day he passed; helping the business grow into the success it is today. Shawn proudly wore the Purina checkerboard every day of those 50 years and prided himself on being a Full Service Purina dealer. Under his leadership, Bruntlett Elevator earned numerous Chow Honor Council (CHC) awards over the years, including the prestigious Double Gold award in 2024, which is awarded to the top 25 Purina dealers nationwide. Shawn’s dedication and vision will leave an enduring legacy and he will be greatly missed.

Shawn is survived by his Wife of 42 years, JoAnn Anderson; Children, Christopher Anderson (Caitlin) of Littleton, CO, Amanda Sether (Lane) of Lake Park, IA, and Nicholas Anderson of Derby, KS; Grandchildren, Addison Anderson, Clint Sether, Brooke Anderson, and Hadley Anderson. Sister, Pam Anderson of Apple Valley, MN; and Brothers, Barry Anderson of Bettendorf, IA, Terry Anderson of Muscatine, IA, and Darin Anderson (Beth Ann) of Eldridge, IA, Mother-in-law Hazel Lentsch of Fort Dodge. Shawn is preceded in death by his parents, Duane (Andy) and Oda Anderson, and his brother, best friend and buddy, Steve Anderson, father in-law Jim Lentsch.

Shawn lived by his motto: “Smile, Be kind and Diplomatic and you will go far.”