James Dennison “Jim” Anderson, age 90, of Waupaca, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 11, at Thedacare Waupaca hospice with family at his side.
Jim was born in Marshfield to John Andrew Anderson and Florence Pauline Anderson nee Stover on September 3rd, 1933, the second of six siblings.
Jim was raised on a farm where he learned the importance of hard work and family. Jim started out as a farmer, but soon transitioned to working as a carpenter. While Jim was in his twenties, he and his brother George went into business on their own founding Anderson Brothers Construction. Jim was well known around Waupaca for driving a red pickup truck while sporting an aluminum hardhat. Over the course of 50 years Anderson Brothers built many homes, apartment buildings, and other buildings and performed a wide variety of building renovations in the Waupaca area.
Jim often told the story of when as a boy, he was milking a cow by hand when his brother John entered the barn behind him. He aimed over his shoulder and squirted his brother with milk. Unfortunately, when he turned to survey the results, he found it was actually his mother with her very unhappy looking face and glasses covered in milk.
Jim was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Waupaca where he served on church council, multiple committees, the Wednesday night youth program, and as an usher.
Jim had a gift of making every person he spoke to feel like they were the most important person in the room. He was always good for a story or word of advice or a laugh. His smile was infectious and he was able to find humor in many situations. He treasured time with his family and always looked forward to our family visits at the lakeside cottage. Jim was an exceptionally kind and hardworking man with outstanding integrity. His unwavering commitment to honesty and moral principles defined his character. His word and a handshake were, to his way of thinking, as binding as any legal contract. Jim was a man who loved his family and took care of them selflessly. Jim will be missed and always treasured in the hearts of his family and friends.
Jim is survived by his wife Barbara Ann Anderson, daughters Susan J. (Mark) Harrington, Lynn M. (David) Johnson, and Jennifer K. (Judson) Gross, grandchildren Angela K. (Michael) Amos nee Harrington, Anya F. Harrington, Erin M. (Ryan) Bonikowske nee Johnson, Matthew J. (Elizabeth) Johnson, Mason J. (Morganne) Gross, Elizabeth J. Gross, Cariesa B. A. Gross, and Colton L. Gross, and six great grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his twin brothers Joseph L. (Nancy) Anderson and Gene W. (Carla) Anderson, sister Jane E. (Geoffrey Andersen) Anderson and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Waldemar H. Will and Eunice C. Will nee Bucholtz, brothers George A. Anderson, and John R. Anderson, granddaughter Christen “Muffy” E. Harrington, great nephew Jacob W. “Jake” Anderson (of Orono, MN), sister in law Elayne J. (George) Anderson nee Petersen, brother-in-law Gordon W. Will, sister-in-law Priscilla A. Will nee Nickel, sister-in-law Mona M. (John) Anderson nee Bartel.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 206 East Badger Street, Waupaca, Wisconsin on Friday January 19th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and Saturday January 20th from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 am; Reverend Charles Tews officiating. Interment will be at Lakeside Memorial Park Saturday afternoon. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.