Paul Raymond Andersen

Paul Raymond Andersen, 78, of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly at home on November 12, 2020 from complications of COVID19.  He will be laid to rest on Thursday, November 19 at 11:00 A.M. at Faith Lutheran Church on Hamilton Blvd. Burial will follow the service at Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 P.M. with a prayer service held at 7:00 P.M on Wednesday, November 18 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel on Hamilton Blvd. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the family requests all attendees to wear masks and practice social distancing. Per the latest Governor Proclamation, guests at the funeral home for the visitation and prayer service will be limited to 15 people at a time. There is no limitation to guests at the funeral service at Faith Lutheran. Online condolences can be expressed at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

 Paul was born on March 19, 1942 to Leonard C and Charlotte O (Ritland) Andersen.  He was raised in Sioux City graduating from East High School in 1960. He attended Augustana College graduating in 1964. He then obtained his Master’s degree from Louisiana State University in 1968 in Baton Rouge, LA. It is there that he met his wife Jeanne (Graham) Andersen. They married on February 5^th 1967. 

After graduation Paul taught at Southwestern Louisiana State University in Hammond, LA and then at Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, MO.  In 1972, he moved his family to Sioux City and joined his father in the insurance industry at Andersen Investment & Insurance Agency where he worked until his retirement in 2014.  He loved the insurance industry and was very well respected. He earned the designations of CPCU, CLU, and ChFC.  He served a term as President of the CPCU Society.  He had also been active in the Lion’s Club, Siouxland Rental Association, and the Republican Party Woodbury County Central Committee.  Paul was a friend of Bill W for over 35 years.

 Paul was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ.  He loved nothing more than studying and discussing God’s Word.  Paul’s best friend was Jesus. He was active in Via de Cristo for over 40 years serving as Rector for multiple men’s weekends.  He worshipped at Faith Lutheran Church, Siouxland Messianic Fellowship, and numerous Bible Study Groups.  Paul often said, “I speak Christian with a Lutheran accent.” 

Paul loved to travel.  He visited all 50 states and most of Europe; living there for one summer in 1966.  The highlight of his travels was his trip to Israel where he was re-baptized in the Jordan River. 

Paul is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanne of Sioux City; his children Julie (Alex Orozco) Lesko of Sioux City and David (Kim) Andersen of Spokane, WA; sister Charlene Olsson of Moscow, ID; brother-in-law Fred Schneider of Cincinnati, OH; sister-in-law Denise Andersen of Sioux City; grandchildren Lauren and Jonathan Andersen of Spokane, WA, Tyler (Jennifer) Lesko and Olivia Lesko (Derrick Dison) of Sioux City and Shane Lesko of Chicago, IL; great grandchildren Jack, Cash, and Max Lesko, Christian Lesko and BellaDonna Dison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was welcomed into heaven by his parents, his brothers David and Mark Andersen, sister Karen Schneider, brother-in-law Kurt Olsson, great grandson Kyree Dison, and niece Karina Carter.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Faith Lutheran Church or Siouxland Messianic Fellowship.