A celebration of life is 1 p.m. Monday for longtime Gardnerville resident, third-generation native Nevadan and D-Day veteran Leonard Alton Anker, 87, at the home of Mark and Beverly Dudley at 1350 Easton in Gardnerville. Mr. Anker died Sept. 22, 2008, at his home in Gardnerville.
Born in Lovelock on June 13, 1921, to James Phillip and Myrtle Talcott Anker, he grew up on the family ranch in Lovelock and graduated from Pershing County High School. He attended the University of Nevada at Reno and received a bachelor of science degree in agriculture.
Two days following graduation, Mr. Anker entered the Army and became a commissioned officer.
He was sent to England to join the American 29th Infantry Division and on June 6, 1944, led a platoon on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
For his service, Lt. General Omar N. Bradley presented him with the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest U.S. medal for valor. He received three Purple Hearts and three Bronze Stars.
Anker was honorably discharged in May 1946 as a captain.
Following the war, he married his college sweetheart, Frances Helen Burke, on June 10, 1946.
He worked for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service in Reno for a short time and then transferred to the Minden office. Within a few years, Mr. Anker joined the USDA Soil Conservation Service and spent many years working with Carson Valley ranchers. He retired from federal service in 1975 and continued on to be a successful businessman and rancher. Mr. Anker served on the Gardnerville Town Water Board for 10 years and on the Minden-Gardnerville Sanitation Board for 20 years. He was a lifelong member of Carson Valley Masonic Lodge No. 33 and belonged to numerous other service organizations including Kiwanis, Rotary, 20-30 Club, and Toastmasters.
His parents and three brothers, Peter, Stanley, and Norman Anker, preceded him in death.
Mr. Anker is survived by his wife of 62 years; son Alton Anker (Sue) of Gardnerville; daughters Beverly Dudley (Mark) of Gardnerville, Shirley Anker of Carson City, and Claudia Monroe (Duncan) of Spring Creek; sister Phyllis Bendure of Carson City; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and many good friends.
He will be buried at the Big Meadow Cemetery in Lovelock. Donations in his name may be made to the charity of your choice.
