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Friday, November 14, 2008
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He saw a dream realized Ex-Echo publisher Keith Anderson dies City Editor Keith Anderson's dream was to own a newspaper.
Anderson, a University of Minnesota School of Journalism graduate, worked for a time at the Mankato Free Press, the Rapid City, S.D., Daily Journal and the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
But he put that dream on hold while he traveled the world working for 3M, serving in the international division.
Later in his career, he came back to that longtime goal.
Anderson fulfilled that dream in 1980 when he and his wife, Martha, purchased the Country Echo, now known as the Lake Country Echo, in Pequot Lakes. In 1988, they purchased the Pine River Journal.
Anderson died Wednesday as a result of complications following an open heart surgery at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He was 81.
"This was totally unexpected and we're devastated," said Martha Anderson. "He's left a big hole in our lives. He loved living here and being involved in the community all these years. And I'm so grateful for everyone's support."
The Andersons were the fourth ownership group of the Echo, which was established in 1972.
In 1995, they sold the Echo and the Journal to their son, Peter. The late Pete Anderson sold the newspapers in 1999 to Morris Communications, which also owns the Brainerd Dispatch.
During his tenure as publisher, Keith Anderson wrote a column, "Off the Top," in which he shared anecdotes about his life, sprinkled with humor.
Pete Mohs, now publisher of the Lake Country Echo, briefly talked to Keith and Martha on Election Day at Nisswa City Hall.
Mohs said the Andersons were visiting with a group of people.
"He was well-liked in the community," Mohs said, noting colleagues still ask about Anderson at statewide newspaper association meetings as well.
"He really put the Echo on the map," Mohs said. "He produced a quality newspaper, a standard we work hard to maintain still today. He was a very nice man."
That's a sentiment shared by Terry McCollough, Dispatch publisher.
"I first met Keith shortly after he and Martha purchased the (Lake) Country Echo," McCollough said. "We often discussed news coverage in the area and the state of the newspaper business. A very professional guy with a quiet, understated sense of humor. A delight to work with."
Betty Ryan, longtime Echo staff writer, was hired when the Andersons owned the newspaper.
"It was his dream to own a newspaper and he did it," Ryan said.
Ryan also credited Martha, as business manager, in the success of the Echo.
"He was a classy gentleman," Ryan said. "He was a nice, nice man. He was a good newspaper man and there aren't too many of those these days."
Ron Foss, a longtime Echo advertising sales representative, said the Andersons were hands-on publishers.
"He was always fair with me, good with me," Foss said.
Louis Hoglund, now publisher/editor with the Perham Enterprise Bulletin and the New York Mills Herald, was hired as editor of the Country Echo by the Andersons in 1982.
"Keith was really a newspaper man," Hoglund said. "He really had his heart in building a newspaper and he did. We had a lot of good years there."
Hoglund said the circulation of the Echo grew under the Anderson ownership from 1,300 in the early 1980s to more than 4,000 in the 1990s.
Anderson was level-headed and moderate in his views, Hoglund said. "He had great wisdom. He was able to think very independently."
Noting Anderson's 3M experience, Hoglund said Anderson had an enlightened view of strategic planning. "He laid out a mission statement, which wasn't all that common back then. He wanted to be the newspaper of the lakes - and he had a vision to realize that. He broadened the focus (beyond) Pequot Lakes. We wanted to create this collection of neighborhoods."
The Echo did expand beyond Pequot Lakes and became a vital part of communities, such as Breezy Point, Crosslake, Fifty Lakes, Ideal Township, Mission Township and Nisswa.
Anderson was a champion in his support for individuals and families battling mental illness.
The Andersons were members of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and helped establish a Brainerd lakes chapter.
"They touched hundreds of lives with that - with support for families and support for the mentally ill in the Brainerd area," said daughter, Linda Osborne.
Anderson is survived by his wife, Martha; three sons, Michael, Paul and Erik; one daughter, Linda; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his son, Peter.
Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Alice Catholic Church, Pequot Lakes. Friends may call from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes, and one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
KATHI NAGORSKI may be reached at kathi.nagorski@brainerddispatch.com or (218) 855-5859.
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