John Anderson

Madison - John Rodger Anderson, age 81, of Madison, peacefully passed away with his family by his side on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013, at the Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. He was born to Victor C. and Avis (Brickson) Anderson.
He is survived by his wife, June, of 55 years; his sons Jeff (Elaine) and Jayson (Laurie), and daughter Joy (deceased); 4 grandchildren: Christopher, Kathryn, Eva, and Gus Anderson; his sister Mary (David) Bourne; niece Beth Mulvan and two nephews Danny and Jonathan Shulman and sister Pat Mair (Tom).
John grew up in Madison, and could remember swimming in Lake Mendota when it was "clear as a bell". John contracted Polio at the age of twelve: "I was playing shortstop one day, and the next day I couldn't walk." John graduated from Madison West High School in 1951 where he was Senior Class Vice President and Business Manager. He received his B.S. in Economics in 1955 from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. John is a member of Phi Gamma Delta. During those four years, he worked as a supervisor at the University Club.
John and June sang in the Luther Memorial Church Choir, and were married in 1958. Later, they joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Madison where John served on the Church Council. John was a supervisor of Underwriting with Reliance Insurance Company, working in Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis. He also worked for General Causality, the Hallmark Insurance Company and the telecommunications department of the UW.
John loved to fish in the north woods of Minnesota where he caught walleyes and crappies of impressive size. His idea of Heaven was taking the 3HP boat over to Bass Lake, casting out a large sucker and bobber, and waiting for that "strike", whether it was a northern, walleye, largemouth, snapping turtle, loon or "other". When John was very ill, his inspiration came from one of his heroes, Superman. He loved all sports but especially Badger Football, attending home and away games, including the cherished 1994 Rose Bowl Victory over UCLA.
Most recently John enjoyed cribbage and euchre at various senior centers in Middleton, Waunakee, De Forest, Arlington and Vermont and online. John enjoyed participating in cribbage tournaments throughout the state. He also loved monitoring the athletic and academic achievements of his grandchildren, and spending the cold months in the Cape Canaveral area of Florida.
John was a real inspiration to his family and friends through the years. We will miss our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Rest in peace John.
A funeral service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Brent Campbell of Good Shepard Lutheran Church will officiate. A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Internment will take place at Forest Hill following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to Agrace HospiceCare, Good Shepard Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.