Clifford W. "CW" Anderson, 81 began his "Vacation in Heaven" on February 28, 2013 surrounded by his family as he departed from his home in Spearfish.

CW was born on June 22, 1931 to Sever and Lena Anderson in Lismore, MN. CW's humble beginnings: At the age of 8, CW and his older brother Bernard went to school early each day to start the wood furnace. This paid $5.00 per month which contributed to the family's depression era income. At the age of 12 CW delivered both the morning and afternoon editions of the Brainerd (Minnesota) Daily Dispatch.

He began driving his first logging truck at the age of 13, but was promptly released when they discovered he did not have a social security card or a driver's license.

CW was an independent contractor for several pulpwood companies in northeast Minnesota in the 1950's, including manufacturer's representative for early hydraulic self loaders. He married Leona C. "Teena" Wolkenhauer on December 12, 1950.

In 1962 the family moved to Rapid City. He continued supplying pulpwood to Wisconsin paper mills into the 1970's. CW began building and finished his patented Translotor logging trailer in 1980.He retired from the logging industry in 2006, at the age of 75. His last 29 years of work he was an independent logging contractor for Nieman Forest Products in Hulett, WY.

CW was an original member of the Circle B Cowboys and the Black Hills Country Music Association which included off season performances from Regina, Saskatchewan to Denver, Colorado. Subsequently, a member of several local groups including the Tri-County Riders and most recently the Classic Country Band.

Survivors include his wife, Teena of Spearfish; children, Richard Anderson of Spearfish, Karen (Gary) Herrington of Hermosa, Steven (Lea) Anderson of Wichita, KS, Kathy Drentlaw of Beulah, WY, Karlene (Richard) Stangle of Hermosa and Caleb Anderson of Spearfish; eleven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and brother Bernard Anderson of Glendale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Deena Paarmann.

CW will always be remembered for his 50 years in the pulpwood and logging industry in Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota, also as an inventor, musician and devoted family man.

Prayer services will be held at 7:00 P.M., Friday, March 8, 2013 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Memorial services will be at 10:30, Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Spearfish Park Pavilion with Pastor Gene Bauman officiating.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to benefit Black Hills Lutheran Schools, Injured Loggers Fund and the Northern Hills Training Center.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels & Crematory Service in Spearfish.