Mary L. Anderson

1947 - 2025

Mary L. Anderson
July 29, 1947 - January 3, 2025
Mary Anderson (77) of Kaukauna passed away peacefully at Frontida Memory Care in Kimberly, WI, on January 3, 2025. Mary was born on July 29, 1947, in Fergus Falls, MN to the late Norman Carlson and Gladys (Benson) Carlson. She graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1965 and married her high school sweetheart Dennis Anderson on June 28,1966. Mary and Dennis moved to Appleton. WI in 1976 when they became partners and eventual owners of Ditch Witch of Northern Wisconsin. Mary worked as the business' bookkeeper/secretary until they sold the business in 1996. Mary continued her role as bookkeeper when they began their new business with Fox Utility Service until retirement.
Mary had a big personality in a little package. She was known to light up any social gathering with her keen sense of humor and a good joke. Her bubbly personality was loved by her family, her neighbors, and the many friends she made throughout her life. Mary adored her pets including her dog Pepper and her many cats Puds, Gizmo, Max, Smoke and Rocky. Later in life she was known to feed the wild birds several times a day, and she would often say they were getting too fat to fly away. Mary also enjoyed travelling and was able to see many memorable destinations throughout the world with her friends and family. She also looked forward to the annual Broadway Shows in Chicago with her dear friend Illa. Before the onset of dementia Mary loved to dance to her favorite 70's music (favorites being ABBA, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, the Bee Gees, Chicago, The Eagles, and Eric Clapton). Although dementia slowly took away her mental sharpness and her mobility, Mary never lost the ability to recognize and acknowledge her family, her friends, and her caregivers. Mary will forever be remembered as the "spunky" little resident who favored four letter words.
Mary will be sadly missed by her son Blaine (Michelle) Anderson of Pillager, MN, and their two sons Grant and Jack; daughter Rebecca (James) Dahlen of Kimberly, WI, and their four children Andrew Christofil, Curtis, Carl and Lydia (great granddaughter Kamiyah): brothers Richard (Nancy) Carlson of Cushing, MN, Gary Carlson of Sequim, WA, Kevin (Chris) Carlson of Ceder, MN; and sisters Deborah (Bruce) Wilen of Bloomington, MN, and Jill (Rodney) Hagen of Pelican Rapids, MN; brothers-in-law Gary (Connie) Anderson of Battle Lake, MN, David (Kate) Anderson of Sauk Center, MN, Mark (Cindee) Anderson of Walker, MN, and sister-in-law Nancy (John) Woolf of Little Chute, WI. Mary is further survived by many special nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband Dennis Anderson, her parents Norman and Gladys Carlson, and her in-laws Roger and Shirley Anderson.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at Frontida Memory Care for the support and care they provided to Mary these past three years with a special heartfelt thanks to Lori, Amy, Amanda, and Jason. We are also very grateful for the additional support Mary received through Preceptor Hospice including her entire nursing team, Reverend Leary and her sweet Social Worker Maria.
A family Celebration of Life will be held in Fergus Falls, MN at a later date.