Douglas 'Doug' LeRoy Anderson

Douglas LeRoy Anderson
July 16, 1936 - June 6, 2025

Douglas (Doug) LeRoy Anderson passed peacefully in his sleep June 6, 2025, at age eighty-eight, surrounded by loved ones.  

A beloved son to Alden and Helen (Gunderson) Anderson, his family moved from Minneapolis where Doug was a lifeguard and on the North High Swim Team, to Lake Minnetonka where he was selected vice president of his class. He graduated from Orono High School and after a short stint as a pre-law student at the University of Minnesota, Doug enrolled in the Navy where he successfully ran the USS Owen’s onboard store, was awarded a good conduct medal, and competed on the All-Navy Swim Team. 

After an accident at his father’s Mill Brook Macaroni Factory in Minneapolis, Doug took his unwavering optimistic attitude and opened his first furniture store on Hennepin Avenue, which led to his lifelong love of furniture, its industry, and his entrepreneurship spirit. Over the years, Doug started several businesses and had employed hundreds of people. He was an extraordinary giving and supportive mentor, encouraging many to start their own businesses.

Doug was a highly respected and trusted businessman in the furniture industry, receiving the 1995 National Cancer Society Employer of the Year award. At one point, Doug owned six Douglas Furniture stores across central Minnesota, eventually focusing on the one in Alexandria, which is still locally owned by his son, Matt. Not one to back down from a good business opportunity, two of his founding businesses are still thriving in downtown Alexandria: Viking Pawn and Yesterday’s (former) Minnesota Market.

A voracious storyteller and always full of gratitude, Doug was an avid gun and keen watch collector, a lover of art and antiques, and continued to appreciate a good real estate deal up until his death. With his loving companion Joanne and their faithful dog Sammy by his side, Doug spent several idyllic summers in Alexandria before making Arizona his permanent place of residence. He was a generous host to friends and family, all the while enjoying card games, Monopoly, a good cup of coffee, pontoon rides, antique malls, property excursions, and so much more. 

Doug was baptized at Russell Avenue Lutheran Church on December 13, 1936 and is preceded in death by his parents Alden and Helen, his brother Dick, and sisters Jean and Beth. 

He is survived by Joanne Havener, his sisters Nancy Wright and Sue (Bob) Roberts, and his children Michelle (Paul) Zeig, Bryan (Colleen) Anderson, Marc (Barb) Anderson, Matthew (Jill) Anderson, Elizabeth Anderson, and Marna Anderson. His memory lives on with twelve grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He will be greatly missed, but his positive light will forever shine brightly in our hearts. 

A Celebration of Life will be held August 24, 2025 at 4 PM at Covenant Church, 4005 Dakota Street, Alexandria, Minnesota.

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