William Lee Anderson

Dates

Obituary

William Lee Anderson, 92, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell. Funeral Service Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 2, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the American Legion Cemetery in Mitchell. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

A descendant of the Anderson Ice Company of Mitchell, South Dakota, Lee was born July 14, 1931, to Charles and Monica (Willman) Anderson. He was a graduate of Mitchell Notre Dame Catholic High School and attended South Dakota State University’s Associate of Arts program in Agriculture. He joined the Army and was deployed to Germany to participate in post-World War II peace-keeping activities. He returned to Mitchell and joined his father in raising Angus Cattle at a farm located on the north edge of town. In 1955 he married the love of his life, Rose, and together they took up residence in Mitchell. Lee started his own cattle operation and purchased a farm northwest of Mitchell, where he continued the Anderson Angus business and sold registered bulls to customers in Eastern South Dakota. 

Lee’s desire to own a ranch came to fruition in 1981 when he found his dream ranch in the Spearfish, SD area to which he moved his cattle operation. He loved checking cattle on a horse, which often took him into the forest on trails, keeping track of the herd. It was here that he expanded his Registered Angus business and sold bulls in the western part of the state, as well as Wyoming and Montana.

Over the years, Lee entered his bulls in various cattle shows, and State Fairs. His crowning achievement was winning Grand Champion Bull at the Wyoming State Fair. Lee’s Angus herd was also distinguished with the award as a “100 Year Historic Angus Herd”. 

Summers in the Hills included outings on trail rides, cattle sales, branding cattle, and many outdoor activities. Lee was the happiest when he took off on a four wheeler to check cattle or fences, all the while sporting his signature jeans and cowboy hat.

After retiring from the cattle business, Lee took up woodworking and crafted spindles for staircases, bed headboards, end tables, stools and benches. Many pieces bore the Anderson cattle brand burned into the side. Over the years, his handmade treasures were shared with many family members and friends. He was instrumental in doing the finish work for the home they built on the west side of the ranch. His patience and attention to finish detail on his projects complimented the cabin feel of rough wood with a smooth finish. Lee was a self-taught woodworker who never met a tool he didn’t like.

In August of 2023, the Mithcell Horseman’s Sports Club honored Lee with a bucking chute bearing his name. Lee and the Anderson family were recognized for the sale of 22 acres to Horseman’s Sports Rodeo grounds for one dollar in the year 1969.

Lee is survived by his son, Brad (Roxanne) Anderson of Omaha, NE; daughter, Brenda (Vince) Boddicker of Mitchell, SD; five grandchildren: Scott Anderson, Caroline (Nevin) Kotera, and Jillian Moore (Matt) all of Omaha, NE, Jason Boddicker of Sioux Falls, and Chelsea (Kyle) Lambert of Rapid City; step grandson, Billy (Brandy) Boddicker of Parkston, SD; and great-grandchildren, Maddox and Jesse Moore, William Kotera, and Olivia Lambert.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Rose; parents, Charles and Monica Anderson; sister, Leona Pflepsen and brother-in-law, Tom Pflepsen; nephew, Patrick Pflepsen; step great-granddaughter, Arianna Boddicker; and step great-grandson, Teddy Boddicker.

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