Derek M. Andersen

Derek Michael Andersen, 45, of Grand Forks, died tragically on March 26, 2022 due to a fire at his residence. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota on February 26, 1977 to Michael and Debbie (Smolich) Andersen and was raised in International Falls. He played baseball and hockey in his elementary school days and graduated from Falls High School in 1995. One of Derek’s greatest joys was cooking–both as a hobby and as a profession. He attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts at Brown College and cooked at a variety of establishments in Minnesota and North Dakota including the Saint Paul Hotel. Derek was an extremely gifted chef and shared food and friendship with loved ones, neighbors, and even strangers who needed a good meal and good company. Derek loved to spend time in the northwoods of Minnesota and greatly enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking with his family and friends. He was an expert fisherman and teller of fishing tall tales, and an outdoorsman at heart. He was a creative person and took pride in the fact that his son Brady is also a creative and talented artist. Derek is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents Trygve and Dorothy Andersen, Joseph Smolich, and step-grandfather Norman Rissanen; aunts Sherry Rissanen, Karen Jones, and Linda Goodman; and uncle John Andersen. Derek is survived by his beloved son Brady Andersen of Little Falls; sister, Melissa (Matthew) Kuskie of St. Paul, nephew Michael of St. Paul, grandmother, Phyllis of Eden Prairie, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. A memorial service will be held at a later date, in International Falls, MN. Should friends desire, condolences and memorials may be made to Brady Andersen, 500 1st St NE, Unit 1, Little Falls, MN 56345