Gregory A. Andersen

Greg Andersen, 71 of Sioux City passed away peacefully at his residence surrounded by his family after an aggressive advanced stage of melanoma. Services will be held at First United Methodist Church on Saturday, December 29th at 11:00 a.m. The prayer service will be held at Meyer Brother Colonial Chapel on Stone Park Blvd. December 28th at 7:00 p.m. with the family being present from 4-7 p.m. Greg was born on December 31st, 1946 in Spencer, Iowa, to Carlo and Norma Jean (Runkle) Andersen. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1965 and attended Iowa State University to pursue pre-med. He enlisted in the Navy in 1969 and was sent to Basic Hospital Corp School in San Diego, California and Field Medical Service School with the Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton, California. He spent his entire time as a Corpsman in the 1st Battalion 3rd Marine Division Charlie 1-3 1968-69. He also lived in a small village for a time delivering babies, treating the sick and injured Vietnamese. He had a special friend Hue who was his nurse assistant. He was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and a Bronze Star and Combat Action Ribbon. After returning to the states he worked at the Orlando Naval Base Hospital as a Medical Assistant until he was honorably discharged in 1971. Greg married the love of his life Maria Vergilio on March 2nd, 1971 in Winter Park, Florida. To this union came three children, Tony Andersen, Brandy Andersen Lawrenson and Dustin Andersen and seven grandchildren. Greg spent many hours attending his children’s track, baseball, soccer, basketball, and football games. He also enjoyed attending soccer, basketball, volleyball and dance and violin recitals that his grandchildren were involved in. His children and grandchildren meant the world to him and he was very proud of their accomplishments. In May of 2000 Greg joined ten others returning to Vietnam to search for locations where they once served. It was an emotional and healing experience, which developed into a documentary of their journey. A brotherhood was formed and friendships were made and continue to this day. After his stint in the military Greg’s first job was selling vacuum’s at Sears in Orlando. Five years later he decided to pursue Nursing Home Administration. His first care center was in Correctionville, Iowa. Greg and Maria made many lifelong friends who have played a tremendous part in their lives. Nine years later he moved to Sioux City and was in charge of Indian Hills Care Center and later became a Regional Vice President overseeing ten nursing homes in Iowa and two more in other states. After eighteen years he spent his last eight years as Administrator of Casa De Paz, retiring in 2013. Greg has always been known as a friend to all and could converse with anyone, even a stranger he just met. He cherished his friendship with Kevern and Kathy Koskovich, Bill and Bonnie Forbes and Bernie and Barb Ketelsen and many others over the years. He loved life, traveling, photography, and had many wonderful experiences during his life time. Greg is survived by his wife of 47 years, his son Tony (Mary) Andersen, daughter Brandy (Travis) Lawrenson, Dusty (Jamie) Andersen, his brother Kirk (Sue) Andersen, Grandchildren, Tanner, Kyler and Rylan Lawrenson, Kaden and Jayce Andersen, and Kara and Abby Andersen; Sister and brother-in-law: Maryanne and Rob Boyle and Brother-in-law: Paul Dionisio. He was preceded in death by his parents Carlo and Norma Jean Andersen, grandparents, many wonderful aunts and uncles, his cousins and his beloved bulldog Semper Fi. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Siouxland, First United Methodist Church, or a Charity of your choice.