Gene Allen Anderson, age 83, of Washington, Iowa, died Sunday, September 22, 2013, at the University of Iowa Hospital following a brief illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2013, at the Faith Baptist Church with Pastor Harald Gruber officiating. Military honors will be accorded following the service. Visitation will begin 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday. Interment will take place 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, at the Hesper Lutheran Cemetery in Hesper, Iowa. Memorials have been established for the United Presbyterian Home, Faith Baptist Church or the memorial of donor's choice. Online condolences may be sent for Gene's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Gene was born November 6, 1929, in Clermont, Iowa, the son of Melvin O. and Gena (Stinerson) Anderson. He attended school in Clermont, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Alice Selness on December 28, 1952 in Hesper, Iowa.

Gene was a Veteran during the Korean Conflict Era serving as Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. He served from November 6, 1948 until July 20, 1956 when he was Honorably Discharged. During his time in the service, he received awards for driving safety and efficiency in USAF Motor Vehicle Roadeos.

He grew up on a farm near Clermont, Iowa. Following his time in the military he lived in Denmark, Iowa, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Washington, Iowa. Gene began his career as an over the road trucker with Hellman Trucking Company in Pilot Grove, Iowa. From 1963 until his retirement in 1999, he drove semi-trailer trucks for Diamond Transportation hauling Case machinery from coast to coast. During his retirement, he continued to drive part time for Case IH and Pioneer Seeds. In 1993, he received the Outstanding Service Award from Diamond Transportation System. In 1997, Gene was presented the Two Million Mile Safety Award from the American Trucking Association. Diamond Transportation System awarded him the Safe Driver "Top Gun Club" distinction in 1999 for 22 years of accident free driving. He was a member of Kiwanis AM'ers and the Washington American Legion.

Gene is survived by one daughter, Jan Sue Ellingson and husband Robert of Dike, Iowa; one son, Ross Anderson and wife Janee of Washington, Iowa. Four grandsons enriched Gene's life: David Ellingson and wife Jill of Gentry, Arkansas, Bradley Ellingson of Pella, Iowa, Jordan Anderson of Dubuque, Iowa, and Lucas Anderson of Iowa City, Iowa. Gene has three great-grandsons; Brock, Zane and Cade Ellingson (David and Jill). He has one brother, Merle Anderson of Elgin, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Alice in 1996; and one sister-in-law, June Anderson.