2024 Grand MarshalS
Fred & Lorraine Anderson
and FAMILY
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The Linn County Pioneer Association is proud to honor Pioneer Picnic Grand Marshalls,
Fred and Loraine Anderson and family. The Anderson family pioneered to Brownsville,
Oregon in 1971, after raising and blending two families (Anderson /Nealon) in Lincoln,
Nebraska. Family currently living in the Linn County area consist of 6 children, 17
grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Those families
are Donnie and Debbie Nealon of Brownsville, their children Kim Archuleta and DJ
Nealon; Marie and Brad Smith of Brownsville, their children Sharmin Welch and Nic
Smith; Mike and Jerri Nealon of Brownsville (Mike passed in 1985) their children Brian
Maahs and Staci Barnes; Shelly and Jeff Sorem (Jeff passed 2015) of Albany, their
children Michael and Mathew Sorem; Tony Anderson of Brownsville, his children Katona
Tatum and Anthony Anderson; Tom and Michelle Anderson of Willamina, their children
Whitney Gonzalez, Kacey Anderson and Kylie Anderson; Great grandchildren include
Clara Kelson, Josey Nealon, Kami Fessler, Bailey and Abby Archuleta, Kensington and
Tristan Smith, Allie Welch, Tate, Chase and Chelsi Barnes, Saturn Maahs, Ellie and
Bodie Sorem, Cooper Sorem, Emerson and Delaney Anderson. Great-Great
Grandchildren Giana and Berkley.
ANDERSON/NEALON CLAN 2015
The first ones of the family to come out West to Oregon was Grandpa Ralph and Grandma Annis Manka, Loraine’s parents. They lived in Brownsville in a house up the hill on Park Street; and yes, it is still standing today. The Anderson/Nealon kids have fond memories coming to Oregon to visit their grandparents.
The family has lived in Brownsville since 1972. It all started with a job opportunity for Fred; however, when Fred, Loraine and their children arrived in Brownsville, there was no job to be had, so Fred started his own business, The Brownsville Body Shop. Cars always were Fred’s passion, so Fred taught his sons, Mike and Donnie what he had learned in trade school. Fred and sons Donnie and Mike repaired and restored cars for many years and later Fred sold the business to the boys. Donnie Nealon carries on the business today which is very important to the town of Brownsville.
Fred also showed compassion, by delivering Meals on Wheels for many years, reaching those in the community who needed that extra help. Loraine and Fred both were staples at the Red Cross Blood Drives at James River. In addition, Fred was the caretaker at the Baptist Cemetery for many years. As a Korean War Veteran, Fred enjoyed playing cards and chatting with those at the American Legion in Brownsville.
The Anderson/Nealon family enjoy Pioneer Picnic by camping with their large family over picnic weekend and will circle their RVs like the pioneers did. Through the years, the Anderson/Nealon family have contributed to Picnic by organizing and conducting the Family Games Event at Pioneer Picnic. You can count on this family to participate and lend a helping hand to the community.
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As we remember Fred (p. 2024) and Loraine (p. 2022), we take this time to honor them and their service to our community. We hope they knew what a legacy of service to the community lives on through them, their children and families.
The Linn County Pioneer Association “thanks” all of them for their service.
