Harry Anderson passed peacefully at home with his wife, Sharon, and daughters, Melissa, Jessica, and Brittany, at his side, holding his hand until he met Jesus. He was 69 years old and experienced declining health due to his cancer diagnosis.

The family will greet friends for visitation from 4:00 - 6:00 PM, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home - Westside Chapel. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Central Church (3100 W. Ralph Rogers Rd., Sioux Falls) with refreshments and fellowship to follow. Please click here to view the livestream.

Harry was born on July 14, 1956, in Chicago, IL, to Eric B. Anderson and Edna J. Anderson (Petersen). Harry grew up in Chicago with his three older brothers, Ed, Lenny, and Arnie, and his twin brother, Howie. As a young boy, he stayed busy with important things like riding his bike to the lake downtown, playing basketball in the alley, becoming a lifelong Cubs fan, and loving Chicago deep-dish pizza. At the age of sixteen, Harry committed his life to Christ and was baptized at Foster Avenue Baptist Church in 1975 by his future father-in-law, Rev. Eldon Schroeder.

He attended Portage Park Elementary School and graduated from Lane Tech College Prep High School in 1974. Harry attended Wilbur Wright Jr. College in Chicago in 1974, earning an Associate of Arts degree in Business and Liberal Arts in 1977. Harry attended Greenville College in 1977 in Greenville, IL, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education in 1979.

On July 19, 1980, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Sharon Schroeder, in Chicago at Foster Avenue Baptist Church, where they first met in youth group. Harry's love for basketball brought him to the church gym, and Sharon (the pastor's daughter) happily met Harry with the key to the gym so he could play basketball.

Harry and Sharon moved to Sioux Falls, SD, in the fall of 1980, where Harry began his studies at North American Baptist Seminary, and Sharon began her teaching career. Harry graduated from the seminary in May 1983 with a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Christian Education and Youth Ministries.

After graduation, Harry and Sharon moved to Renton, WA, where Harry accepted his first ministry position at Sierra Heights Baptist Church as Associate Pastor with responsibilities in Christian Education and Youth Ministries from 1983 to 1986. While in Washington, Harry and Sharon played hard, adventuring to the ocean, mountains, and San Juan Islands.

In January 1986, they moved to Minneapolis, MN, where Harry began serving as Minister of Christian Education and Youth at Faith Baptist Church. Harry was ordained into pastoral ministry by the North American Baptist Conference at Faith Baptist church on June 7, 1987. In 1989, he began the first annual bike trip fundraiser to Village Creek Bible Camp.  What began with Harry continues 37 years later as riders bike more than 200 miles from Minnesota to Lansing, IA, supporting Village Creek Bible Camp.

While in Minnesota, Harry and Sharon became the proud parents of their three daughters: Melissa (1987), Jessica (1989), and Brittany (1992). They are blessed to have daughters who love the Lord and seek to serve Him in their careers and communities.

From Minnesota, they moved to Brookfield, WI, where Harry served at Ridgewood Baptist Church as Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministries from 1992 to 1998. With Brookfield being only two hours from their homes in Chicago, they took many family trips to visit Harry's father and Sharon's parents.

From 1998 to 2003, Harry served as Associate Pastor of Education and Youth Ministries at Grosse Pointe Baptist Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. While in Michigan, Harry enjoyed coaching the girls' sports teams, attending track meets, and taking many trips to the Sleeping Bear Dunes for family vacations.

In August 2004, the Anderson family moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where Harry served as Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries at Oak Hills Baptist Church from 2004 to 2006. In 2007, Harry began working part-time at Sanford Health, where he enjoyed his role as a courier until 2020.

In 2008, he began serving as Senior Pastor at Central Baptist Church in George, IA, where he served from 2008 to 2014. From 2014 to 2015, Harry returned to Faith Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN, where he served as Interim Senior Pastor.

Harry always found great joy in God's creation and loved spending time outdoors. He embraced every adventure with enthusiasm. Whether biking along quiet trails, kayaking on peaceful waters, or hiking through the mountains, he felt most alive surrounded by nature and the people he loved. Some of his happiest memories were made tent camping with Sharon and their girls — sitting around campfires, exploring together, laughing under the stars, and creating traditions that will forever be treasured.

Harry and Sharon spent many hours on the road traveling to visit their daughters, family, and friends. Harry always prioritized his family, even if it meant driving through the night to make it on time for events, celebrations, and holiday gatherings. He is known by many as the "road warrior". Harry also enjoyed his train collection, and it was the perfect addition to the family Christmas tree. In his retirement, he loved his Men's Bible Study Fellowship, visiting his girls with Sharon, biking the Sioux Falls trails, spending time at the fitness center, and attending live concerts with Sharon downtown Sioux Falls at the Levitt.

He will be remembered for his infectious laugh, as someone who cared deeply for people, and a constant encourager, selflessly taking time to listen and truly know others. Harry believed every person has value, every story matters, and that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and loved. He had a special way of making people feel valued and cared for.

Harry is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Sharon; daughters, Melissa Anderson of Colorado Springs, CO, Jessica Anderson of Brawley, CA, and Brittany Anderson of Wheaton, IL. He is also survived by his twin brother, Howard Anderson of Hutchinson, MN; brothers, Lenart Anderson of Arlington Heights, IL, and Arnold Anderson of Newport, OR; nephews Eric Anderson, Carl Anderson, Nathan Anderson, and Aaron Anderson; and niece, Jennifer Tieman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eric Anderson (1997) and Edna Anderson (1970), and his brother, Edward Anderson (2001).

Harry would want others to remember that God loves them deeply and unconditionally. He encouraged those around him to seek God, draw near to Him, and walk in faith through every season of life. His prayer for those he leaves behind would be that they continue to seek God daily, trust in His unfailing love and grace, and live with kindness, compassion, and love toward others.

Harry loved the Lord and desired for others to know the peace, hope, and salvation found in Jesus Christ. His faith was the foundation of his life, guiding the way he loved, listened, encouraged, and served others.