George S. Anderson

Obituary:

George Sigmund Anderson of Stanley Wisconsin passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025 at Oakbrook Health in Thorp. George was born to Charles, SR. and Annie Anderson in Stanley on February 20, 1934.

George Anderson was known for his warm and welcoming smile, upbeat attitude, and his ability to make someone laugh. He was always ready to chat and share a story with anyone. He especially loved to tell stories about his childhood on the family farm. Many of these stories involved escapades and adventures with his four brothers and the many, many cousins. Some stories featured cars, including the one where he would drive his dad around in the old Model T. His driving began in the third grade, this was obviously well before he received his driver’s license! He loved filling the car with as many cousins as he could and then taking them to dances. It was at one such dance that he met and fell in love with Irma Optiz from Cornell WI. They soon married on July 17, 1954. They began their life together at the family farm which they eventually brought from his parents. Over the years they were blessed with six children. George was proud to be a lifelong dairy farmer and in 2012 was very honored to receive the Century Farm Award. Sons Danny, his wife Brenda, and Duane continue to operate the family dairy.

The whole family enjoyed traveling. George traveled to most of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. He always had a story to tell about the adventures that he had in that state. George also enjoyed many other outdoor activities like camping at Rock Dam almost every year, and snowmobiling in the winter. During camping trips, fishing was always a big part, although usually there was more talking and storytelling, than actual fishing. George would often be more focused on the conversation than on his bobber.

George and Irma also enjoyed playing cards, belonging to four different card clubs. As with so many things in George's life, the company kept, the conversations had, and the stories told, were more important and valued than the actual activities.

For many years they belonged to a square dancing club and enjoyed dancing up until they couldn't physically do it anymore. Soon after they found a new pastime, going to Lake Havasu City, AZ every winter where they met many new friends and accumulated new stories to tell. A while after Irma passed away in 2009, George and his sister in law Barb (Lenny) Anderson became special friends, enjoying traveling and spending time together.

Family was always very important in his life and he always eagerly looked forward to annual family reunions and monthly cousins' breakfasts. Although he will be greatly missed by family and friends here on Earth, we are comforted by the fact that he will continue to be the life of the party as he reunites with all the family and friends that have already passed. Most surely he arrived with his warm and welcoming smile, upbeat attitude, humor, and his readiness to share stories.

He is survived by his children, Barbara Buness of Fort Mohave, Arizona, Duane and Danny (Brenda) Anderson both of Stanley, Carolyn (Mike) Zimmerman of Boyd and Laurie (Scott) Mehus of Buffalo City, WI, 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, his sister in law and special friend, Barbara Anderson and many nieces and nephews. George is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Irma (2009), his son, David and his brothers, Charles, JR, Arnold, Murnie and Leonard.

A funeral service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, March 22 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church-Stanley with Pastor Kenneth Schmidt officiating. Burial will follow in East Side Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Friday at the Plombon Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.