By Steve Bohnel, Mason City Globe Gazette

 

NORTHWOOD — Clayton Balsley has known Jesse Anderson for the past six years.

So when he first learned he and his 4-year-old son, Micah Anderson, had died in a kayaking accident, Balsley was shocked.

Balsley, senior pastor at Bridge Community Church in Albert Lea, described Jesse Anderson as a devout follower of Jesus, and someone who spent much of his time helping others — whether it was at church or in Northwood  or southern Minnesota.

“Jesse was a people person, he enjoyed being around people,” Balsley said. “He loved the Lord and wanted people to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and he was always willing to help with this or that and lend a hand.”

Northwood residents Jesse Anderson, 42, and his son died earlier this week after their kayak overturned in Hart Lake in Hubbard County.

Joint visitations and funeral services are scheduled. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9:30 a.m. Friday at Bridge Community Church, 2016 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Anderson family, as well as accounts at two Northwood banks — NSB, 900 Central Ave.; and FSB, 99 Seventh St. N. All funds given at the banks will go directly to the family, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office announced on its Facebook page.

Jesse Anderson was an avid outdoorsman and active member of Bridge Community Church, according to his obituary. He is survived by his wife, Rita, and children Kari, Hannah, Lane, Isaiah and Malachi.

Balsley said Jesse Anderson’s volunteerism ranged from cooking at church barbecues to plowing snow and helping fundraise for mission trips. The Anderson family has asked that donations be given to Guatemalan Missionaries through Bridge Community Church in lieu of flowers.

It’s just the kind of person he was, Balsley added.

“He was the type of guy that if he knew somebody needed some help with something, if he could make it work, he was willing to lend a hand,” he said.

Manuel Ramirez, owner of Tequila’s Mexican Bar & Grill in Northwood, knew Jesse Anderson for about eight years. He considered him to be one of his best friends, and would often golf with him in their spare time.

Ramirez, like Balsley, said Jesse Anderson was very gracious and helped him with yardwork and similar projects multiple times.

“Always, when I needed him for something, he never would say no,” he said. “He always wanted to help me.”

Micah Anderson’s obituary said that, like his dad, he also liked being outdoors and collecting items to “stash” in his room.

Balsley remembered the 4-year-old as an energetic, fun child.

“He was a people person as well,” he said. “He would run around, and give people hugs. He loved to jump up into your lap.”

That was seconded by Ramirez, who said Micah Anderson was always happy to see him.

“One of the things I remember is every time I saw him, he got so excited,” he said. “And he said ‘Amigo!’ and he would run and give me a big hug.”

Ramirez added he will be there for Jesse and Micah Anderson’s family and friends in the coming days, and that he will hire two of Jesse’s other children — Isaiah, 16 and Lane, 17. 

Nearly $10,000 has been raised by community members for the family as of Wednesday afternoon. Balsley ended his comments about Jesse Anderson by commending his honesty.

“You knew where you stood with Jesse,” he said. “He definitely had a heart for people.”