Frank “Doc” Anders at 89 years young, went to be with our Heavenly Father on May 17, 2023, in Rapid City, SD. After a short battle with cancer and suffering from a broken neck, he was surrounded by his loving family and some dear friends that made the trip to see him in his final hours.
Frank “Doc” Anders was born on September 6, 1933, in Ellsinore, Missouri to Oral E. & Mabel A. (WhiteSide) Anders. Doc grew up in Kansas and Wyoming, where there were four graduates in his high school graduating class in Hawk Springs, Wyoming. Uncle Sam gave Anders a two-year stint in Fort Bliss, Texas, during the Korean War, working on guided missiles for the Army.
When Frank came back from the service, he decided to become a veterinarian. Frank spent two years at the University of Wyoming, then four years at Colorado State University where he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and started his lifelong career of 60 years, in which he practiced medicine in South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and surrounding states. After graduation, Frank went to work for Dr. Jim Bastian in Edgemont, SD. In 1965, he was offered a partnership in Chadron, NE with Dr. Jack Hawley. He remained in practice with him until 1970. In 1970, Frank moved his family to Crawford, NE, going into private practice. The grand opening for his new clinic was held in 1972. Up until then, he rented the veterinarian barn at the Fort Robinson State Park.
While in college, Frank met his beautiful bride, the late Alice Marie (Hacker) Anders. Together they had 3 children; a daughter Taenia, and two sons; Art and Kent. In his lack of spare time Frank enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids making candy or canning, and also enjoyed attending all his grandchildren’s events, teaching them all how to work in the hay field and if there was a Bible school, he made sure his grandchildren attended. Frank enjoyed going to vet meetings with his wife, kids, and grandkids. He enjoyed water skiing, fishing for salmon, and deep sea fishing.
Frank was a pillar of the Crawford community. It took him no time to get involved in the community after moving to Crawford. He became a member of the Crawford Volunteer Fire Dept. which spanned over 60 years. Frank was the Fire Chief starting in 1976-1985 and a member of the Crawford School Board, which he joined after 2 years of living in Crawford. He also joined the Old West Trail Rodeo Board in 1972, where he became president in 1974 to 1975, then he rejoined in 1991, and was president from 1993-1994. Doc was the on-call veterinarian for any and all rodeos that came to Crawford from 1975-2022. He was a leader of the Southern Baptist Church all his adult life.
All would agree that Doc did not meet anyone who did not become a friend. He had an incredible love for animals and was one of few people that was able to make his career something he truly enjoyed. We all knew that if Doc could not stitch it, glue it, fix it or find the foreign object, it was really BAD. Doc was a remarkable man and a strong, unapologetic follower of Jesus Christ with profound faith that lasted to the end.
Frank “Doc” is survived by his daughter Taenia Anders Storbeck of Gillette, WY; son Art (Haley) Anders of Crawford, NE; son Kent (Lisa) Anders of Bayard, NE; grandchildren Tanielle (Matt) Senn, Taezia (Erik) Tischer, Telbe Storbeck, Tashala (Tyler) Luraas, Colby Anders, Kalane Anders, Rope Anders, Dalli Anders, Ty Anders, and Cash Anders and his eight great grandkids; Taylee, Treyson, Talon, Macoby, Tenley, Torren, Maddox, and Tiden. Brother Dale Anders; Sister Georgia Slagle; and many nieces and nephews.
Frank was preceded in death by his wife Alice, his parents, 1 sister, 2 brothers, and Great GrandDaughter Waylyn Alice Luraas.
A Celebration of life will be held at the Crawford Community Building on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 10:00 am and a luncheon at the Crawford Volunteer Fire Dept. following the service. Interment at Black Hills National Cemetery will be at a later date. Any and everyone is welcome to attend because any and everyone was a friend to Frank. A memorial has been set up through the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department at P.O. Box 184 Crawford, NE 69339.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com with Bates-Gould Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.