Lynn Elmer Anderson, 64, of Hutchinson, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017, in Hutchinson. He had endured a long battle with prostate cancer since 2007.

Lynn was born on February 15, 1953, in Grafton, North Dakota, to Elmer and Violet (Heuchert) Anderson of St. Thomas, North Dakota.

Lynn taught chemistry at Hutchinson Community College from 2002 to 2017. Prior to 2002, he taught chemistry at Garden City Community College from 1996 to 2001.  Lynn's early childhood years were spent in Managua, Nicaragua, from 1957 to 1959, where his father headed the American Schools, as he was directed to do so by the American ambassador to the country at the time. This was during the reign of Somoza.
Lynn graduated from St. Thomas High School, St. Thomas, North Dakota, in 1970. Immediately following high school, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves, where he focused on officer training and flight school to explore becoming a helicopter pilot. After military service for two years, his passion for education led him into teaching. He taught in the Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota school systems for several years. Lynn then decided to pursue teaching at the college level. In 1975, he became Eminent Archon of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, graduating with a BSE in fish and wildlife management from the University of North Dakota. In 1977, Lynn obtained a BSE in Biology from the University of North Dakota; in 1987, a BSE in Chemistry from the University of North Dakota; and in 1996, a Master's in Chemistry from the University of South Dakota, Brookings, South Dakota. Lynn enjoyed many sports and was an accomplished athlete. He especially excelled in baseball and basketball.

Even after many apparent academic and athletic accomplishments, when asked what his greatest accomplishment was, his answer was, 'my children'. Not only were his children his inspiration, but his students at Hutchinson Community College were as well. Lynn's firm ethical and moral fiber, his integrity, devotion to education and passion in acquiring and imparting knowledge to others, especially to his students, has left a huge imprint on those blessed to know him. He is and will always be greatly missed.

He is survived by: his best friend and mother of their ten children, Deanna Anderson of Hutchinson; children, Jamie Rauhut and husband Ross of Liberty, MO, Brandon Silsbee and wife Michele of Hutchinson, CJ, Kassie, Jessie, Maya, Emily, Charlie, Leah, and Kellie Anderson, all of the home, Hutchinson; grandchildren, Savannah and Rhett Rauhut, Adelyn and Victoria Silsbee, and Dehlanie Anderson; brother, Greg Anderson and wife Deb of Dayton, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Please join in our Celebration of Life service and Commission into the Kingdom of Heaven for Lynn at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2017, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Lynn Anderson Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.