Allen Matthew Anderson

Allen Matthew Anderson, age 94 of Lakeville, passed away on January 9, 2026. Al was born to Nester and Ethel (Samuelson) Anderson in Winthrop, MN. He married his beloved wife, Tanita “Toni” Burgener on Sept. 27, 1997. Together they blended a beautiful, loving family.

Preceded in death by his son, Roger Allen Anderson; brothers, Douglas Nester Anderson and Charles Sherman Anderson.

Survived by his wife, Tanita “Toni” Anderson; children, Barbara Jean (David) Scott, Bryan Richard (Annette) Krueger, and Jeffrey Rand Krueger; grandchildren, Lyndsey (Kevin) Modderman, Allyson Vogel, Ryan (Britnie) Krueger, Shawn (Stephanie) Krueger, Alexander (Bethanny) Krueger, and Nicholas (Gabriella) Krueger; great-grandchildren, Elayna Modderman, Lucy Krueger, Zac Krueger, and Noel Krueger.

Al graduated in 1949 from Jackson High School in Jackson, MN. He was a kicker on the famous forty-niner football team. He graduated from South Dakota State in 1953 as a mechanical engineer. He was a member of the US Air Force ROTC program and became an Air Force Officer stationed in the Air Research and Development Command at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. He was always very proud of his military service.

Al began his career as an engineer at Westinghouse before representing his country in the US Air Force. Eventually, he made his way to Thermo King Corp. where he remained until his retirement in 1996 after 25 years.

Al retired as the Manager of Engineering Quality Systems. He was a registered professional engineer and served as a consultant for several juried trials. He was also a member of the American Society for Quality and was a certified auditor. Al was a member and past president of the 8th Air Force Historical Society and also a member and past president of the American Society for Mechanical Engineers.

After Al retired, he spent many volunteer hours as a “Certified Church Mouse” at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville, MN. This involvement gave him much joy and many friends. He loved carving wood and as he would say, “making wood chips.” These wood chips resulted in many carved crosses that he gave through church to the elderly and others with a need for one. This act was his final legacy as he carved about 2000 crosses that have been placed in praying hands.

Al was very loved by his family and friends.

Memorial Service at 11am on Sat., Feb. 21, 2026, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13801 Fairview Dr., Burnsville, with visitation one hour prior and a lunch to follow. Inurnment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Starkson Family ~ Anderson Chapel of Apple Valley.