Orvin Anderson

Orvin L. Anderson, 68, of Gays Mills, Wis., passed away Sunday, February 13, 2005, at Vernon Manor, Viroqua, Wis., surrounded by family after a long battle with an illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 17, at Utica Lutheran Church with Pastor Gary Wees officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Dommersnaes Bertram Family Funeral Home, Gays Mills, and at the church Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m.
Orvin was born in Crawford County to Orvin and Lillian (Tollefson) Anderson on April 4, 1936. He was baptized and confirmed at Utica Lutheran Church and attended Mt. Sterling Grade School and Gays Mills High School.
On November 5, 1960, Orvin married Delee Graham at Utica Lutheran Church. They farmed together. He was called to active duty with the 32nd Red Arrow Division during the Berlin Crisis and spent a year at Fort Lewis in Washington. Upon returning to Wisconsin, Orvin got a job at American Motors in Kenosha for a few years. In 1964 they moved to Stoughton, Wis., where he started an excavating business and became a Master Plumber Restricted. After his father's death in 1977, he and his family moved back to Gays Mills to the family farm and continued his excavating business.
Orvin was a member of the McCormick Rose American Legion Post #308, Gays Mills. He served on the council for Utica Lutheran Church in many different positions. He also was a member of the North Crawford School Board and CESA 3 for 13 years until he retired for health reasons.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Delee; his five children, Roy (Sharon) Anderson of Viroqua, John (Deanna) Anderson of Mt. Sterling, Amy (Michael) Allbaugh of Ferryville, Eric (Andrea) Anderson of Viroqua, and Carrie Anderson of Dubuque; 11 grandchildren, Jenny and Nicole Anderson, Heather, Heidi, Jonathan, and Allison Anderson, Curtis, Amanda, and Brady Allbaugh, and Madelyn and Cale Anderson; seven brothers and sisters, Elaine (Roger) Sime of Gays Mills, Mary (Darrell) Walker of Mt. Horeb, Wis., Larry (Rosie) Anderson of Wisconsin Rapids, Lila (Jim) Sime of Soldiers Grove, Ray (Ann) Anderson of Gays Mills, Jeannie Anderson of Waukon, and Jerry (Ruth) Anderson of Eastman, Wis.; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Orvin was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Tom.