Walter Emanuel Anderson

Walter (Walt, Wally, Andy) Emanuel Anderson

We are saddened by the passing of our father on April 20, 2024, at the age of 92.   Due to various health issues, Pa was a resident of Rennes Health & Rehab in Weston for the past few years. 

Wally was born in Catawba, WI, on October 22, 1931, to Leslie and Ruth Anderson.   Always an industrious individual, he began working at the young age of 12 on several farms in Illinois and Missouri.   He enlisted in the Air Force when he was 17.  Wally served in the Korean War, as an airplane mechanic and flew with a unit that tested the dispersion of radiation from atomic explosions over the Pacific Ocean. 

After his service with the Air Force, he put his mechanical skills to use as a millwright for Wausau Papers.  Wally (also affectionately called Andy by his co-workers) worked for Wausau Papers for 41 years.  During that time, he became known for his abilities to diagnose problems and create solutions – several of which resulted in new patents for the mill. 

Wally married Lorraine Duranceau on September 14, 1953. Together, they raised five children:  Pamela (Mike) Donley of Salisbury, NC, Jonas (Anita) Anderson, Erlangen, Germany, Penny Anderson (Scott Wegner), Schofield, WI, Kathryn (Mark) Hawley, deceased, and Amy (Mark) Schroeder, Wausau, WI.  Family was an important part of Lorraine and Wally’s lives and were always welcome in their home.  Many relatives talk of the summers spent at their house or the large family reunions that they hosted. 

An expert craftsman, Wally built two homes for his family during his lifetime.   The first home was built east of Brokaw and is now lived in by a grandson and his family.  The second home was built east of Tomahawk on Lake Alice where he and his wife lived after retirement. 

In addition to carpentry, Wally enjoyed tinkering with anything mechanical.   He rebuilt tractors, maintained vehicles, built several pieces of motor-driven equipment, and otherwise designed and improvised parts out of scrap materials.  He also enjoyed hunting both in WI as well as out West, fishing, camping, and playing guitar. 

When they moved to the Tomahawk area, Wally and Lorraine joined the Tomahawk United Methodist Church. 

Wally is survived by four of his five children, one brother, Jack (Nancy) Anderson, 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.  He is pre-deceased by his wife Lorraine of 57 years, his daughter Kathryn, three sisters, Dorothy (Harry) Boomer, Val Nystrum, Jean (Dave) Newell, and two brothers, George (Rose) Anderson, and Gerald Anderson. 

Funeral services will be held at Tomahawk United Methodist Church in Tomahawk, April 29, 2024.   Visitation will be from 9 am until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Krueger-Nimsgern Funeral Home, Tomahawk, WI is assisting the family.  Burial will be in Catawba after a meal at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tomahawk United Methodist Church. 

The family would like to thank Rennes Health & Rehab and Compassus Hospice for their exceptional care.