TOMAH- John C. Anderson Jr., age 87, of Tomah, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Tomah VA Medical Center. He was born on September 9, 1937, to John C. and Leah (Pratt) Anderson Sr. John grew up on a farm with eleven siblings. He learned to work hard and to be there for others. Your family and neighbors were your community. If help was needed, they were there for you and they also shared in recreation of all sorts. Because of this, John was always available to help a neighbor or family member whenever he saw a need. You didn’t need to ask him-he just did it. He expected nothing in return. John spent his life farming, building Jellystone, and managing cranberry marshes. He always made time to help a family member or friend. John was incredibly proud of his service to our country, fulfilling his duties as a Quartermaster in the Navy from 1955-1959.
Every place John lived, he made friends through his generosity, his humor, and because he truly cared for each person (if you were honest and a dedicated worker in life that is!). He also expected that out of the people he supervised in Cranberries, his family including stepchildren, and everyone he met. The families at Flying Dollar on Double P and Honeycut Avenue were very special to him from the youngest to the oldest. You all have your own memories of him to hold in your heart. Some of the most fortunate knew him in the best of health. He was incredibly thankful for the 37 years of wonderful marriage to Sharon.
His sons (Jeff, Kevin and Todd) and stepsons (Alan and Paul), their wives (Sherry, Faith, Melissa, Julie, Michelle), grandchildren (Justin and Diane, Alyssa and Andy, Amber, Kaleigh, Caleb, Megan and Derik, Nicole and Corey, Jeremy, Morgan) and great grandchildren (Emma, Alaina, James, John, Lilly, Wyatt, Gracynn, Dax) were the most important thing to him. He asked about each and every one numerous times through his struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. In addition to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, he also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Gary.
He is preceded in death by brothers, Albertus (Bert), Robert, Rolland, Eugene, Gil, and Jim, and sisters, Virginia, Darlene, Shirley and Sharon. Also, he has been saddened at the loss of sisters-in-law, Emma, Helen, Theresa, Marlene; nephews, Steve, Kenneth, Dave, Caleb, Andy; and niece, Linda.
Nieces and nephews in the Anderson family and Chapman family, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in the Chapman family have been there for John through his journey in life and it meant a great deal to him.
Many thanks to family and friends for your constant care and concern for John as he traveled this tough journey. The twinkle in his eyes and his smiling face let you know he was ready to tease or had some humorous thing running through his head will be cherished by so many.
John, may you rest in peace knowing that you were a good, kindhearted man!
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Pastor Dave Dahl will officiate. Burial will follow at the Mount Vernon Cemetery in Tomah. Family and friends are invited for a visitation on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah, as well as on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Tomah VA Veterans Assistance Program or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuenralhome.com
Torkelson Funeral Home
