Darrell Dean Anderson

Darrell Anderson accomplished much during his 75 years, but he would tell you his biggest treasure was his relationship with Jesus.

“God will bless your life richly if you only give Him a chance – put your trust in Him and He will never fail you,” Darrell would say.

Following his love for the Lord was his passion for his family and purebred livestock. Darrell was born on December 10, 1949, to Roland and Lucille Anderson in Sherburn, MN. His family had a small hog operation and later a purebred sheep flock that Darrell started with his older brother Jim who was killed in an automobile accident at 21. Darrell,14 at the time, carried on their small purebred sheep flock. Becoming active in 4-H and FFA, he never planned to attend college until a summer intern introduced him to livestock judging. That suggestion changed the trajectory of his life.

Darrell’s love of livestock judging took him to South Dakota State University where he obtained his bachelor's degree in animal sciences in 1972. While working on his masters degree at SDSU, he coached the wool judging team and served as assistant livestock judging coach. Before graduating, he was offered a position as public relations director for Federated Rural Electric Association in Jackson, MN. During this time, he provided leadership in various sheep organizations and started the Minnesota Suffolk Sheep Show and Sale at the Jackson County Fair.

On August 9, 1975, he married the love of his life, Merlene. Soon after they were married, Darrell became Cottonwood County Extension Director. In his interview, he told the committee that one day he wanted to coach a national championship 4-H livestock judging team. Darrell believed in this dream and achieved this goal in 1980 when his county team won the national 4-H judging contest in Louisville, KY. He also became an auctioneer and was elected president of the National Suffolk Sheep Association.

In 1981, with two young sons at home, Darrell made the decision to leave Extension and accept a job with First Bank in Windom, MN. He hoped the more regular schedule would afford more time for his young family. In 1985, he decided to move on. For a brief period, he raised sheep, judged lamb shows and auctioneered to pay the bills. Darrell became the executive secretary of The American Yorkshire Club. This decision in 1987 would revolutionize the purebred swine industry because they had hired a “shepherd boy” from Minnesota.

In 1994, the merger of the three organizations became the National Swine Registry (NSR) in Darrell’s new role as chief executive officer. For 25 years, Darrell’s leadership grew the purebred swine industry. NSR’s long-range planning led to the creation of the National Junior Swine Association, the hiring of geneticists, and tracking growth of sales.

In 2003, Darrell was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Darrell and Merlene entered the llama industry and estblished Solid Rock Llamas. They developed a nationally competitive herd of llamas and created the March Llama Madness Show and Sale of Champions.

Since he was young, Darrell was fascinated by auctioneers. He auctioneered and judged sheep shows and sales in 21 states. He auctioned the first llama production sale held in the U.S. in Salem, OR, and served as auctioneer for many top llama sales in the country.

Traveling often, he always made time for his family. He served on many committees and boards, but his favorite board was the bleacher board watching his boys, Benjamin and Gregory, play high school and college basketball. No one could have been more pleased than Darrell of his sons and of the families.

Darrell willingly helped other breed associations and served in many leadership positions on: the National Livestock and Meat Board, the National Swine Improvement Federation, the National Pedigreed Livestock Council, the National Pork Producers Council, and the United States Livestock Genetic Exports and the National Pork Board. He was honored with the 2005 Long Time Service Award-National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest, the 2006 Livestock Publications Council’s Headliner Award, and the 2016 Pork Industry Distinguished Service Award. In 2022, his portrait was hung in the Saddle and Sirloin Portrait Gallery in Louisville, KY.

From his editorials in Seedstock Edge magazine to his heartwarming speeches, Darrell’s motivation, humor, and ideas will long be remembered. He did not seek the spotlight, and always found the good in life and others. He prioritized his relationship with Jesus, treasured every minute he spent with his wife, admired his sons and took great pride in the grandchildren God had given him.

On June 13, 2025, Darrell Dean Anderson went home to be with Jesus. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Merlene Leila (Worthley); son Benjamin Dean and his wife Steffi (Rayburn), grandson Samuel Gabe (Raelyn Lomison), and granddaughter Mylo Hannah; son Gregory Donald and his wife Katie (Ramsay), grandsons Elijah Dean, Jude Thomas, Oliver Curtis, Shepherd Wallace, and granddaughter Naomi Kate. He’s preceded in death by his parents Roland and Lucille (Schafer), brother Richard, sister-in-law Joyce and brother James. A celebration of his life will take place on Friday, June 20 at Connection Point Church in West Lafayette, IN. Visitation will be held from 10 am – noon, followed by a service at noon. He will be buried a Lone Cedar Cemetery in Sherburn, MN on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 1:00 with an open house celebration to follow at the Sherburn Worship Center,

Arrangements have been entrusted to Comfort Cremations, 674 N. 36th St., Lafayette, IN 47905 - (866) U-R-Loved   www.comfortcremations.net