George W. Andersen Rapid City died Oct. 30, 2008 at the Auxiliary Hospice House. He was 103. He was born in Perham, MN on July 25, 1905 to Danish parents, Ane Olsen and Hans Andersen. Following the death of his father, his mother married Charlie Petersen and in 1911, moved her family to his ranch near Buffalo Gap. There, George and his siblings, Paul and Estella, lived the rigorous lives of ranch kids, helping with chores and riding horseback to country schools. A sister, Marie (Babe) later completed the family. George graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1924 and attended S.D. School ofMines in Rapid City. A spirited girl named Martha Bondurant caught his eye at a country dance in themid-20’s, she arriving on horseback, he in his Model-T. He offered her a ride home in iscar, as well as brother, Joe, who led the horses out the car window. He and Marthacontinued their love of dancing throughout the years, belonging to several couples’groups, round and square dancing, and they made a point of dancing in each country theyvisited during their traveling years. On July 15, 1927, he and Martha married in Minneapolis, MN where they attended barber and beauty schools. They had a joint barber and beauty business in Hot Springs until the 1940’s. George’s interest in music began when, as a young lad, he would fiddle at square dances, collect payment from the passed hat, and with fiddle under his arm, head back to the ranch on horseback about daybreak. In later years, he enjoyed piano lessons and loved to hear anyone play well, his all-time favorites being Scott Joplin rags. His interest in building and wood crafting surfaced during high school years when hehand-carved a 32 inch model of the Santa Maria, and later evolved into fine pieces ofwalnut furniture, created in his home workshop. He continued building cabinets, restoringantiques and remodeling and decorating houses for most of his life. With good friend, Don Petty, and John Webb, a partnership was formed to purchase Lash Lumber Co. in 1947. A member of the Elks Club, he served for four years on the Hot Springs City Council, and retired from the lumber business in 1963. George enjoyed fly-fishing and hunting, and with encouragement from Martha, learned to appreciate travel. Hawaii was an early favorite destination, as well as any place a cruise ship would take them. From their humble beginnings as frugal ranch kids, they were probably amazed to explore Australia and the South Pacific, the Far East, Europe and South America. Any place they traveled, George always enjoyed a juicy prime rib, a dry martini and a high-stepping dance tune. For several years following the death of his wife in 1989, George enjoyed the company of a special friend, Laura Larive; she preceded him in death. He lived in his well-kept little house on S.5th Street in Hot Springs for 70 years, afterwhich time, he sold his car and moved to a senior residence near Custer. There he wasblessed with the loving care of Charlene & Ted Hartman and staff, and for those two years, his family is eternally grateful and offers special thanks. George is survived by two daughters: Marlene Tobias (Dick) of Rapid City and Marilyn McKay (Robert) of Michigan City, IN.; eight grand children, David McKay (Tess,) Gary McKay (Carla,) Rob McKay (Becky,) Chris McKay (Laura,) Jamie Neely (Cajer,) Jennifer Tobias, Greg Tobias and Linnea Tobias (Jerry) and fifteen great grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister Marie Wilson of Rapid City and sisters-in-law, Hazel Krutsch of Rapid City, Helen Brandt of Hot Springs and Ann Bondurant of Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, brother, Paul and sister, Estella Helgeson.