Ken Andersson: Kingaroy community pays tribute to beloved founder of Andersson’s Fruit Market

‘Legend’: The region is mourning the loss of a treasured local businessman who is being remembered as a generous community supporter and devoted family man.

Tributes have flowed from the Kingaroy community as it mourns the sudden loss of beloved father, friend, and legendary business owner Ken Andersson.

Mr Andersson, fondly remembered as Kenny, sadly passed away aged 84 on Sunday, leaving behind a huge legacy in the region.

Abigail Andersson paid tribute to the father of six, saying her father-in-law would be remembered for his “tough-as-nails” attitude and the hard work he put into the shop.

“Kenny, underneath it all was a soft touch,” Ms Andersson said.

Ms Andersson remembered Kenny’s generosity towards the community during his time running the fruit shop.

“There was a year that the shop didn’t make any money because of the amount it donated to the community,” she said.

“Once we signed up the kids for soccer and they came back and their jerseys had Anderssons Fruit Market on it … and I said, ‘We must sponsor your team, I don’t know if we do but we must’.”

Although several Anderssons shops existed over the years, the well known and most successful in Kingaroy was started in 1980.

While Kenny handed over the reins of the shop to his son Dan, Abigail said he never stopped being the “director”.

“He was still coming into the shop and directing people with a stick. He’d wind down the window and yell at you from the car,” she laughed.

His hardworking attitude extends even beyond his tragic passing, with Kenny leaving strict instructions for no service to be held as the family “can’t take a day off” from the shop.

Kenny Andersson (right) with his beloved granddaughter Ellenor and Red Dog the kelpie. Picture: Nancy Jayde Photography

But Ms Andersson also remembered Kenny’s cheeky streak, with the passionate pilot delighting in having fun in his planes.

“He loved to fly, and loved to scare people in the plane or people on the ground, doing the stuff that you'd never be allowed to do now,” she said.

“Like flying low over people fishing on Boondooma Dam and they thinking they're gonna die and he would just laugh at them.”

Dozens of other members of the South Burnett community have taken to social media to share their heartbreak, with Daryl Swan saying he will always remember Kenny’s Mr Whippy days.

“I first remember Kenny when he traversed the streets of Kingaroy in the Mr Whippy ice cream van with Greensleeves playing to let all of us kids know that he was in the near vicinity and we would wait at the front gate until he pulled up nearby and we would all rush to the van for our ice cream treat,” he said.

Deb Frecklington said she was deeply saddened by the news and sent her condolences to the Andersson family, with community members rallying to do the same.

“What a sad day for the family and Kingaroy. Ken was the first fruiterer I ever had met from another town. He was always over in Gatton buying potatoes and onions etc. and probably had some influence on me getting info the fruit business,” Alwyn Weier commented.

“A couple of years later he was the second man in the markets I looked up to as Geoff Meharg was the first. Between the two of them I would say they taught me almost everything I know today. Condolences to Dan and all the family’s on Ken’s passing.”

Joan Dundas said “our deepest sympathy to your family. Such a hard working generous business man.”