Categories: Death Notices > obituary-notices
On July 27th, 2024, after a brief illness, Kermit W. Anderson went to be with his loving wife, Annouchka, for as he was fond of saying “When it’s your time, it’s your time.” On the plus side, we’ll be voting for Ronald Reagan in the upcoming elections. Kermit was born on January 31st, 1940, in Spokane. He was the second child of five, born to Kermit and Wardine Anderson. With the exception of 2 ½ fun filled and memorable years in the small town of LaCrosse, Kermit grew up in Spokane. Kermit and his older sister, Karen, were free ranch children. This led to many adventures and misadventures. Once, at a very young age, he survived being struck by a car, and the wrath of his mother for being struck by a car, escaping with only a broken leg from the car, not his mother. He once caught his sister smoking and always believed that she was the reason the chicken coop burned down, but he never ratted her out. Kermit, even at a young age was always a builder. Wood projects, forts, auto repair, he dabbled in electrical projects, and even learned how to weld. Kermit attended Garfield Elementary and North Central High School. He excelled at math and history. English, not so much. Upon graduation in 1958, he would attend Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, graduating in 1962. Shortly thereafter, Uncle Sam came calling. He was inducted into the U.S. Army and upon completing basic training, he would spend the next two years serving his country as an ambulance driver stationed in Germany. While stationed in Germany, Kermit would meet the love of his life, a young Parisian, Anne Marie Jeannot (Annouchka), and her young daughter, Lynne (Dianna). The couple would marry on May 29th, 1964. The following year the family would grow with the birth of a son, Kjell. When the family returned to Spokane, it would grow again with the addition of a son, Bjorn, and a daughter, Solvejg. Substitute teachers were never fond of Anderson first names. In 1965, with the help of family and with almost no experience, Kermit would found Star Steel, a steel fabrication company still in existence today. He would run his business the same way he lived his life, with honesty, integrity, humility, and compassion. What he didn’t know, he figured it out, and there was a lot of figuring. He never had delusions of self-grandeur. Kermit rarely enjoyed a sunrise, way too early, but he cherished sunsets. Walkin’ after midnight was his theme song. He never found a piece of wood that wasn’t worth saving. Food was one of the true pleasures in life. Room for dessert? Dumbest question ever! His custom-made Christmas cards, so creative, they shall be missed, although for relatives in France, not until March. He loved his cats and hated change, he had his routine, and it was his routine. A simple man with simple ways. Kermit was preceded in death by his one and only, Annouchka; his parents; his sisters, Karen and Karine; son-in-law, Charles "Chuck"; and his walking partners, Pete the Pup and Kolia. He is survived by his children, Dianna Nelson, Kjell Anderson (Jennifer), Bjorn Anderson (Stephanie), and Solvejg Rockliffe (Dean); his brothers, Kevin (Sandy) and Kim a.k.a. Big K.; along with eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He also is survived by his (5) cats, Lady Gray, Sparkles, LG, Ebony, and A-36, plus (6) freeloading strays. A life well lived, rest in peace Pops, you earned it. Please join the family in a celebration of life on September 29th, 2024, at 2:00 PM, at the home of Bjorn and Stephanie. 11611 S. Keeney Road, Spokane, WA 99224 RSVP – bjorn@starsteelfab.com -or- keeler.stephanie@yahoo.com