Andy Leonard Andersen

Andy L. Andersen, 82, of Sioux City, Iowa died on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, in Sioux City. He was a former Navy pilot, radio personality, TV host, mortician and publisher.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church, 2101 Jackson, officiated by Chaplain Neil Peck. A Masonic service will immediately follow the memorial service at the church. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.christysmith.com
Andy was born April 16, 1931, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Christen and Anne (Nielsen) Andersen. He grew up in Mapleton, Iowa, where the family owned the John Deere and the Pontiac car dealerships. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1949.
Andy went on to the University of Iowa, planning to major in journalism. While a freshman he joined the Naval Reserve and a year later he was called to serve in Korea. After 11 months in Korea he transferred to a Denver, Colo., Naval Air Station. While there, he was able to pursue another passion in life, basketball. He tried out for and made the Denver Frontier Refiners team, playing for them for 2 years. Many years later the team became today’s Denver Nuggets.
In 1960 Andy entered the field of broadcasting working for KCHE of Cherokee, Iowa, later KMNS in Sioux City and WNAX of Yankton, S.D., doing sportscasting, announcing and hosting the "Country and Western Jamboree." In 1964 he joined KVTV -- better known today as KCAU. Andy did the weather, markets, sportscasts. After seven years with KCAU he became the sports director for Channel 3 in Phoenix, Ariz., where he interviewed baseball greats like Joe DiMaggio, Willie McCovey, Willie Mays and Dizzy Dean.
While in Phoenix he decided to change careers and a friend offered him a job at a mortuary in Scottsdale, Ariz. After a four-year apprenticeship, he received his license. It was in 1974 that Andy had the opportunity to buy a funeral home in San Jose, Calif., so he did, later selling it in 1980 and moving to Rohnert Park, Calif., where he established the Andersen Funeral Home. He later sold the business.
Andy married Doris Grummell in Santa Rosa, Calif. in February of 1992 and the couple moved to Sioux City in 1995. Shortly after moving back to Sioux City he began a new career as a publisher. He started the Siouxland Sports Digest. The publication contained the local high school, area college and professional sports schedules.
Andy was a member of the First Christian Church of Sioux City and was currently serving as a lay minister for the church. During his life he was a member of various civic and fraternal organizations, including Tyrian Lodge No.508 AF and AM, former member of the Abu- Bekr Shrine, and Elks Lodge in Sioux City, Woodbury County Republican Party, Iowa Navy, "I" Club. Andy was also a big supporter of the Boys Club of Sioux City.
Survivors include his wife Doris Andersen of Sioux City; two sons, Steven Andersen of Sioux City and Chris Andersen of Texas; step-daughter Karin and Michael Dowling of Calif.; step-son Michael Grummell of Calif.; and one step-granddaughter, Jazzlyn Dowling.
His parents and a brother preceded him in death.
Memorials may be directed to the family.