Alvin J. Andersen, 91, of Washington, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5, at St John's Lutheran Church in Bennington. Interment will be in the Prairie View Cemetery.

Alvin James Andersen was born Oct. 29, 1919, to Jens "Jimmy" and Anna (Rasmussen) Andersen. He was baptized and confirmed at the community church in Washington. He grew up on the family farm near Washington and graduated from Bennington High School in 1937.

On Sept. 12, 1945, he married Lorene Wilma Logemann at Zion Lutheran Church. The couple had four sons; their focus was always to their family, church and community.

Mr. Andersen was a responsible steward of the land. At an early age he assumed much of the farming chores due to his father's illness. He received the Natural Resource District's Soil Conservation Award. In 1962, he and his family were honored as the "Farm Family of the Week" on WOW TV. He continued to farm until his retirement and moved to the village of Washington when his son, Wesley, assumed the farming responsibilities. The family farm has now been in the Andersen family for 130 years.

Mr. Andersen was a long time faithful member of St. John's Lutheran Church of Bennington; serving four terms on the council, as a Sunday School teacher and various other committees. He and his wife were charter members of the Lutheran Club which provided them with a wealth of fellowship with many friends over the years.

He was a quiet thoughtful man who offered his advice and service to the Washington School board, the Kennard Rural Fire District Board, the Prairie View Cemetery Association, the Washington County Mutual Insurance Company Board, East Central Nebraska Pork Producers Council, 4-H leader, Washington County Fair Board, Washington County Extension Board and the Washington County 4-H Council.

Mr. Andersen enjoyed traveling. He and his wife visited all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces, Mexico, Denmark and the Caribbean islands with fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota. In retirement, he became an avid woodworker, making a nativity scene for the church, flowerboxes, cabinets, bookcases, miniature merry-go-rounds, replicas of the Washington school house and the family barn and many other items, both practical and whimsical.

He enjoyed good health up to the last few weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Andersen celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their family and friends in September of this year.

He counted as his blessings his family, friends, long healthy life, and his relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene; sons and daughters-in-law; Glen and Carleen, Wayne and Wendy, Marvin and Pamela, Wesley and Pamela; grandchildren: Darin and wife, Dawn; Emily and Geoffrey DeOld, Brian and wife, Nicole, Kevin, Virginia, Kathy, Margaret; great-grandchildren: Tyler, Makayla, Hope, Ella and Tate; and sister, Verda Swanson.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Clarice Andersen.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.