Theodore L. "Ted" Aanenson, 87, died Thursday, January 30, 2014 in Sioux Falls, SD. His funeral service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, February 4 at East Side Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, with burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation begins at 5:00 PM Monday, February 3 at George Boom Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Theodore Leander "Ted" Aanenson, son of Theodore and Adrianna (Moi) Aanenson, was born June 6, 1926 in Luverne, Minnesota. He attended country school. Ted worked on the family farm until age 15, when he worked for a neighbor who had broken his ankle. He milked 14 cows by hand morning and night. He also worked for different farmers and at John Morrell and Company.

Ted entered the U.S. Army on October 13, 1944 at Fort Snelling, MN when he was 18 years old. He served in the Philippines on Luzon with the 38th Infantry Division on the Bataan Peninsula. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was later awarded the Bronze Battle Star. Ted was one of seven brothers who served their country during World War II, all of whom came home safely. He was honorably discharged on December 6, 1946 at Fort Sheridan, IL. After his discharge, he worked at Dairyland Creamery and Foremost Dairy.

Ted was united in marriage to the love of his life, Eunice Thompson, on September 18, 1949, at Beaver Creek Lutheran Church, near Harrisburg, SD (the church now sits on the campus of Augustana College). The couple made their home and raised their family in Sioux Falls, SD.

Ted had an ice cream and milk route. In 1974, he became an independent distributor with Well's Blue Bunny Dairy. He retired in December of 1988 after 39 plus years in the dairy business. In December of 1990, he started working at Home Federal Bank as a mail clerk. He retired the second time in December of 2001.

Ted was a member of East Side Lutheran Church, a life member of John M. Bliss VFW Post 628, a member of the Norse Glee Club and Sioux Falls American Legion Post 15, and a former member of the Nordic Hall Board.

Grateful for having shared his life are two children, Larry Aanenson and his wife, Michelle, Coon Rapids, MN, Donna Quigley and her husband, Tom, Coon Rapids, MN; four grandchildren, Kari Aanenson, Brian Aanenson and his wife, Maria, Jessica Lindee and her husband, Steve, Bobby Quigley and his wife June; four great-grandchildren, Brianna Aanenson, MacClellan Davis, Elliott Quigley, Henry Lindee; a sister-in-law, Clarine Gaffin, Sioux Falls, SD; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice, on August 17, 2010; his parents; seven brothers, Aanen, Alex, Arnie, Selmer, Erling, Edwin and infant Aanen; five sisters, Alvilda Aanenson, Edia Aanenson, Selma Gyberg, Lillian Roemeling and Luella Braa; and a granddaughter, Heather Davis.

Memorials may be directed to the East Side Lutheran Church Building Fund or the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Funeral Service:

Tuesday February 4, 2014, 11:00 AM at East Side Lutheran Church.

Family Present Visitation:

Monday February 3, 2014, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at George Boom Funeral Home.