By Paige Nash
Sibley will be hosting their very first “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” on Saturday, December 9, on the track behind Sibley Town Hall.
This event is being put on by the Anderson Family, of Sibley, who were deeply and personally affected by this disease.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It causes brain cell connection and the cells themselves to degenerate and die. Memory loss and confusion are the main symptoms. Currently no cure exists.
Jay Anderson’s father, Walter Anderson, passed away on Christmas Eve of 2019 after suffering a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was the third youngest of 14 kids and joined the Air Force upon turning 18. After serving eight years and two tours in Thailand, he and his wife moved back to the states where he worked for TideCraft as a boat salesman for many years until they closed. He made do with odd jobs here and there until he was asked to join the team at Harper Motors.
Jay described his father as having the “gift of gab,” which he thinks contributed to his success as a salesman. “He found his niche and did very well. Dad was always amazing with numbers. He did his math and deals usually in his head,” he said.
It was when Walter could no longer perform this special feat that his family began to grow concerned that there was something else more serious going on with his health.
“When we noticed he wasn’t able to run his numbers or having trouble, we knew something was wrong,” said Jay. “He retired from Harper Motors basically telling everyone he couldn’t keep up with the new technology coming out in the vehicles, and part of that was true. It got too much for him as he was never one to use a computer and that is basically what cars are nowadays.”
Outside of work, Walter was well known for always being there when the people he knew, and sometimes did not know, needed him. He also helped coach baseball.
“Not many folks know, when he managed the Minden RedBirds, he was the one that got that division across the country to hold the World Series in little Ol’ Minden. One of the stipulations was the field at Griffith Stadium needed some major upgrades,” said Jay.
One big problem was the depth of the ballpark. The league required a certain distance in the outfield.
Jay continued, “Well, since there wasn’t any more property behind the fence, he found a way around it and had the wall you see there now put up. That satisfied the league, and our little town was blessed to have teams from New York, Chicago and California come visit and play.”
Walter was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.
Jay reflected on the hardest days after his father’s diagnosis. He said, “Alzheimer’s is a truly horrible disease. You watch your loved ones slowly regress forgetting more and more each day. The most disheartening feeling is when they fail to recognize you whether it’s their kids, grandkids or especially their spouse. Sadly, we experienced this firsthand with my dad. I watched my dad, a man that raised 3 men, revert to a 10-year-old.”
This is why Jay felt strongly led to begin this “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” with hopes to make it an annual event.
“I just feel the need to do what I can to raise awareness and money that will be used to continue research into finding a cure,” he said.
They will begin registration at 9 a.m. with the walk beginning at 10 a.m. There will also be raffles and items for sale. For those interested in registering early, scan the QR code below.
