Ernest Anderson, age 96, of Menomonie, formerly Spring Valley, died Tuesday at the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center.

VISITATION will be Sunday, November 5, from noon until 2 p.m. at St John’s Lutheran Church in Spring Valley.

The FUNERAL service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at St John’s following the visitation.

Burial will be in St John’s Lutheran Cemetery Spring Valley.

Ernest Arthur Anderson was born on November 17, 1920 at Overdale Farm in Gilman township, Pierce County, Wisconsin.  He was the second child of Nim Christopher & Dena Gurina (Danielson) Anderson.

He was a lifelong member of St John’sLutheran Church. He was Baptized by Reverend Berven on December 19, 1920 and confirmed on June 10, 1934.

Ernest attended Gilman Mines rural school and then went on to Spring Valley High School To graduate with the class of 1939.  Ernest left Spring Valley in 1941 to work for Douglas Aircraft in Hawthorne, California. He worked on building medium bombers and later dive bombers, he then moved to experimental aircraft division working on the tail sections.  Ernest entered the United States Navy in August 1944, and served in the South Pacific until June 1946.    

Ernest returned to Spring Valley and married Frances Rollofson on August 21, 1946 at St. John’s. Lutheran Church in a candlelight ceremony.  They began farming in Gilman township.  This union was blessed with five children, Byron, Sandra, Brenda, Andrea and Kevin. The Andersons farmed until 1976.  Ernest drove school bus for 17 years for Spring Valley Schools.  Ernest worked for Vollrath Refrigeration in River Falls, retiring in 1993.  They then moved to Menomonie, WI.Ernest worked at Lever Brothers Grocery as a delivery route driver for the Bakery.  During this time, Ernest and Frances traveled throughout The United States visiting various historical sites and spending time with relatives.  They also went on a guided tour of Norway.  Ernest retired in 2010 at the age of 90, his final job was working a land fill attendant for various sites in Dunn County.

As Ernest aged, his attention switched to activities of his family, especially the grandchildren and his great- grandchildren.  He had to know what they were doing and that they were ok.  Family was Ernest’s main interest throughout his life with family gatherings being his main focus and Holidays were especially important.  Going to church on Sundays was very important, especially worshipping with four generations of Andersons.  Ernest always appreciated the congregation of St Johns for their kindness and support during his life. Ernest was featured in an article, profiling his life story written by Kaye Bird which appeared in the Sun Argus.  His last social event was riding on the St Johns Float for 50th Annual Dam Days this past September

Ernest entered the Spring Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center on October 2, 2017 and passed away quietly on October 31, 3017.

Ernest was preceded in death by his wife Frances Anderson November 14,2012, his parents Nim and Dena Anderson, his uncle A. Ludwig Anderson, his sister Trudella Anderson, his brother Minnard Anderson, son in law Lee Webb, daughter in law Doris Anderson.

Ernest survivors include his five children, Byron Anderson of Menomonie, Sandra Webb of River Falls, Brenda Anderson of Menomonie, Andrea (Gary) Johnson of Menomonie, and Kevin (Valerie) Anderson of Spring Valley. Eleven Grandchildren Kristine Webb, Sherri Webb, Aaron (Stacie) Anderson, Cindy (Sam) Meyers, Hilary (Tom) Boyer, Brian (Michelle) Webb, Ashley Johnson, Sabrina (Jake) Hemmerling, Amaris (Rob) Moore, Gabriel Johnson and Cyrus (Lori) Anderson. 26 great grandchildren. Sisters: NethisPeterson of Stillwater, MN., Erva Lundgaardof River Falls, Florence Gullickson of EauClaire, and sister in law Della Anderson of Fredric.

Pall Bearers are the grand sons and grandsons in law.