DONALD ANDERSON

Donald Anderson, age 88, died peacefully on January 29, 2009, with his daughters by his side. He was born in Larsen, WI on June 20, 1920; son of Milo and Lula Anderson. He graduated from Neenah High School in 1938. Don married Virginia Goerlitz of Oshkosh on September 22, 1945. It was on their farm on Norwegian Island where they raised their three children: Bonnie, Vicki and Jack. Don was a lifelong farmer. He and Virginia bought the family dairy farm and in 1960; they began moving the farm in a new direction growing lawn sod. As the business grew, he and Virginia divested of the dairy business and continued with Anderson Sod Farm full time until they sold the business to their son, Jack. Don continued to work on the farm until his health forced him to retire at the age of 83. Jack's wife and sons continue to operate the business. Don was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester; he served on the Board of Directors of the Midland Cooperative in Larsen for 20 years. He was a Schriner and a past member of the Appleton Elks Club. Don was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, acquiring the prized season tickets in the early 1960s. He and Virginia traveled extensively. Most recently, Don accompanied the family to Poland for the wedding of his grandson, Austin Campbell. Don enjoyed bowling, golf, playing cards and the many winters he and Virginia spent at their Arizona home. "When I was born, Dad and I were home alone" was one of hundreds of one-liners and jokes that Don could recall at any time. He had an amazing ability to remember jokes he'd heard many years in the past and repeat them seemingly out of the blue. His congenial personality made him many friends and endeared him to his kids and grandkids. Don played the "squeeze box" by ear and entertained his family and friends with renditions of everything from Faith of Our Fathers to Little Brown Jug and just about any tune that someone would request. Donald is survived by Virginia, his wife of 63 years; their children: Bonnie (Steve) Campbell, Cottage Grove, WI, and Vicki (Ernie) Ginter, Atlanta, GA; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Anderson, Neenah, WI; their grandchildren: Hans Hemes, Heidi (Tom) Keating, Gretchen (Rick) Lyons, Ted (Patty) Campbell, Austin (Anna) Campbell, Blake Anderson, and Dylan Anderson; their great-grandchildren: Jack and Rosie Keating, Halle Jo and McKenna Campbell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Jack, his sisters and brothers-in law, Leona and Clarence Schueler, and Muriel and Arno Seifert. A funeral service for Donald will be on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, 11:00 AM, at Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester, with the Rev. Dan Luett officiating. Visitation will be at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will be in Grace Lutheran Cemetery, Winchester. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the Alzheimer's Association or Grace Lutheran Church.