​Meet our Member- Loretta Anderson

Why me? I’m not comfortable talking about myself, but since I have been asked to provide background on “Loretta Anderson”, I can’t procrastinate any longer and will comply.

Greetings, I am Loretta Greene Anderson from Shafer Minnesota. I grew up south of Shafer on a farm close to where our Greene great-great grandparents settled in Franconia Township. And “yes” related to most of the Greenes. Over the years, we discovered some are not from our “tribe”, but they sure could be! We went to school in Osceola, Wis (always liked to say we were bussed out of state for our education, which continues today.) I am the oldest of 6 kids and did my share of indoor chores as well as farm chores, including milking cows one summer. 

Involved with 4-H Club, volunteering for church and local events, and during high school years included working as one of 3 maids for a widow that that spent her summer at her lake home in Osceola area, then waitressing the next two summers.

I attended college in Eau Claire Wisconsin and majored in art education. Little did I know that I would find this helpful in my career at Hazelden later on. Had no idea what Hazelden was when my father suggested checking for summer jobs.
What was Hazelden? Never heard of it! But we went to school in Osceola, so we didn’t know about this place. Sure enough, I was hired to answer phones, work in the small library, and anything else that needed to be done. At the end of the summer, I was asked to stay. Oh my, wasn’t expecting that…and ended staying with them for 47 ½ years. So blessed for all the opportunities, experiences, education, people I had met over the years. But probably even more was the Mission of this company that continues to help so many people all over the world. So proud we have this in our backyard and worked with one of the founding fathers and his wife. Every Tuesday was Art Day, when I devoted the entire day to
Mr. and Mrs. Butler.

Over the years my position developed into Community Relations Manager leading me to getting Hazelden’s message out locally and working with them.  I continue to be involved locally, even though I’m retired, but have always
believed we are here to serve and do our best to make a difference in the lives of others.

I married Dan Anderson in 1974 (not to be confused with Dan Anderson Hazelden’s president at that time. They knew one another and would occasionally receive one another’s mail and/or phone calls. We were blessed with two daughters.

In 1996, Daniel passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack. Such a shock for us, with one daughter a junior in college and one a junior in high school.