Harold L. Anderson

Harold L. Anderson, age 92, of Wisconsin Rapids passed away Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Arborview Court.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 25, 2022, at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Timothy Ritter will officiate. Entombment will be at Forest Hill Mausoleum. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00AM until the time of service at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be designated to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Rapids American Legion Post 9 or the Alzheimer's Association.
Harold was born June 29, 1930, in Auburndale, Wisconsin to Rudolph and Louise (Grube) Anderson. He was known by many as Andy. Harold served in the United States Army in Korea as a radio operator and then returned home to find and marry the love of his life, Donna (Kohlbeck) Anderson, on September 20, 1954, in Hewitt. They moved to Wisconsin Rapids shortly after and Harold began working as an Electrical Power Dispatcher at Consolidated Papers where he worked until his retirement in 1994.
Harold was a semi-truck driver at heart, he drove new cars across the country and also worked for his brother-in-law, Bruce VanNatta, delivering loads of Hamm's beer to St. Paul whenever he could. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post 9 and participated in providing military rites for veterans for many years. After retirement, Harold and Donna volunteered for Meals on Wheels, he did the driving and Donna did the talking. Harold also volunteered at Ruby's Pantry, High Ground in Neillsville, and Immanuel Lutheran School. Woodworking and projects around the house were a few of his hobbies, it was often said that if Harold couldn't fix it, nobody could. Harold also enjoyed deer hunting with family and friends, it was an annual tradition. While traveling in their Jayco all over the United States, they made many lifelong friends and memories for which they have always been grateful. Harold was known by his kids for his "one liners" that would put a smile on everyone's face, including staff at Arborview.
He is survived by his four children, Susan (Patrick) Heffernon of Burnsville, MN, Renee (William) Skibba, Sheila (Kevin) Provost and Brad (Renee) Anderson, all of Wisconsin Rapids; ten grandchildren, Raechel (Matthew) Oster and Jacob Heffernon, Matthew (Briana), Tyler (Jenny) and Nicholas (Lindsey) Skibba, Ross (Rachel) Provost and Faye (Lance) Wolosek, Chase (Amanda), Cole and Cara Anderson; four step grandchildren, MaKenna, Reid, Gavin and Bennet Tilberg; and nine great grandchildren, Xavier, Blake, Jaxton, Kinley, Eisleigh, Emmelynn, Sophia, Rhett, Bentley and another one on the way. Harold is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Janet Diers, Marilynn (Paul) Zimmerman and Patricia VerKilen along with his brother-in-law, Harold "Coke" (Barbara) Kohlbeck.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents; brother, Ralph (Margaret) Anderson; sister, Carol (Bruce) VanNatta; in-laws, Wenzel and Laura Kohlbeck; brothers-in-law, Roger (Gerri) Kohlbeck, Robert (Marlene) Kohlbeck, Al Diers, Dennis Tesmer and Thomas VerKilen; nephews, Sgt Kevin VerKilen and Gary Kohlbeck.
The Anderson family would like to thank the wonderful people who took care of Harold at Arborwood Lodge and Arborview Court over the years. They made us feel like we were family and took such good care of him. A sincere thank you is also given to those at Heartland Hospice and Ritchay Funeral Home in helping us provide a smooth journey for Dad.