Obit: Anderson, Peter J. (1932 - 2014)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anderson, Connor, Ecklund, Elpert, Heller, Kauffman, Krackenburger, Martinsen, Mertens, Robotka, Rosenloff, Sossamon

----Source: The Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) Online obituary

Anderson, Peter J. (13 APR 1932 - 11 DEC 2014)

Peter J. Anderson, age 81, of Birchwood, WI, died Saturday, January 11, 2014, at the Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake.

He was born on April 13, 1932, in Owen, WI, to John and Erma (Elpert) Anderson. Peter entered the United States Air Force and served in the Korean Conflict. He married Echo Krackenburger in Dorchester, WI, and she preceded him in death.

Peter later married Lea Heller Martinsen in Birchwood, WI.

He built log homes, and he also worked as a welder at Meyers Manufacturing in Dorchester. While Peter was in the Air Force he built airplanes. His hobbies included building wooden trucks, trains and lawn ornaments. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Peter Anderson is survived by his wife, Lea Anderson of Birchwood, WI; 4 sons, John (Ginny) Mertens of Tripoli, WI; Gregory (Dolly) Mertens of Milwaukee, WI; Jeffery (Patty) Mertens of Rice Lake, WI; and Kurt (Kathy) Mertens of Colby, WI; a daughter, Cynthia (Greg) Robotka of Birchwood, WI; 2 stepsons, Jacob Heller of Rice Lake, WI; and Charles (Lauren) Heller of Indiana; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 6 great great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Marie Sossamon of Brownsville, CA; and Kathy Kauffman of Colby, WI.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Echo Anderson; a son, Darryl Mertens; 2 daughters, Corrine Ecklund and Janice Mertens; parents; a brother, Robert Anderson and 2 sisters, Beverly Sossamon and Ida Rosenloff.

Funeral Services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood, WI, Rev. Chris Connor officiating, with interment in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spooner, WI, on Tuesday where Military Rites will be accorded by the Birchwood American Legion Post. Visitation will be held from 12 - 1 PM Saturday at the Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Appleyard's Home for Funerals, 19 W. Messenger St., Rice Lake, WI.