Andrew Striefel, 107, Anamoose died Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey. Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 12, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Anamoose.

Andrew was born Aug. 7, 1902, in Strasburg, Russia. He was the son of Anton and Marianna (Holzer) Striefel. Andrew migrated through Canada with his parents and sister, Katherine, arriving in the U.S. by Canadian Pacific Railroad in January 1903. The family first settled in the Devils Lake area, where many German Russian people lived. His father worked on the section crew for the railroad for about 2 years. The family then homesteaded in Pierce County beginning in about 1907. Andrew became a U.S. citizen in 1909. He was one of 11 siblings and outlived them all. He attended rural school and worked with his father on the family farm until his 20s.

He then married Genevieve Weninger on Nov. 26, 1928, at Orrin. They lived and farmed south of Anamoose. He was part of a generation that still farmed with horses for several years. They retired from farming and moved into Anamoose. Genevieve died April 20, 1989. Andrew entered the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey in 1990.

Andrew enjoyed gardening and fishing. He once said, "I liked to fish from shore. I tried to catch anything that caught my hook." Andrew was recognized for his longevity and received letters from President George Bush and Governor John Hoeven. Last month he celebrated his 107th birthday. Andrew would often sing a simple song called "Doodly-Do".

He was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Andrew is survived by: two sons, Daniel (Darlene) and Wendlin (Lila), all of Minot; daughter, Marceline Hoaglund of Anamoose; 19 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren.

Andrew was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Genevieve; son Bernard; son-in-law Leonard; brothers, Anton, Sebastian, Wendelin, Joe and Keith; sisters, Barbara Martha, Katherine, Regena, and a sister, Eva, as an infant.

Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, handled arrangements.