Wilbur "Wil" L Anderson

Funeral Services for Wilbur L. "Wil" Anderson will be conducted from the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. with Pastor Murray Jones, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with Military Honors provided by the Martin-Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honors Team.

Wilbur L. "Wil" Anderson, 97 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2014 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Wil was born on October 4, 1916 at Chicago, Illinois, the sixth of seven children born to Carl and Clara Mae (Nelsson) Andersson. He attended grammar school at Bedcroft and then attended several different high schools due to redistricting. Wil was then employed at the Mercantile Mart in Chicago and at the same time he pursued higher education in college. While he was attending Northwestern University, Wil was inducted into the United States Army. He served from July 17, 1941 to September 3, 1945 in the artillery with the Fighting 58th in the European and North African Campaigns under the direction General Patton. Following his honorable discharge, Wil received his degree in business and accounting. He then began a career in Management of Sales, serving as Vice-President of Sales for the Shaw Walker Company in Chicago. On December 6, 1945 he was united in marriage to Eleanore Jean Jonsson at the Swedish Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Chicago. To this union two children were born: Paula Jean and Wayne Lawrence. The family continued to make their home in Chicago. On January 19, 1959, he was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanore from complications from an open heart surgery.

On May 7, 1960 he was united in marriage to Ardelle A. Anderson formerly of Holdrege. In December of 1963 the couple along with Wilbur's two children moved to Longmont, Colorado and a year later to Colorado Springs. On February 5, 1970 his son, Wayne Lawrence passed away at the age of 15. Wil and Ardelle resided at Colorado Springs except for three years spent in Arkansas, returning to Holdrege following Wil's retirement in February of 1979.

Wil enjoyed hunting, fishing, bird watching, and loved wild life. He was always keenly interested in the Boy Scouts, and always tried to live his life by their motto, "Be Prepared." He was a devoted member of the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege. Wil was also very active in the Gideon's International and was devoted to the Phelps Community Pantry for over twenty years as the manager.

In late retirement years, Wil and Ardelle began to make their home at Chrisoma Villa. On April 2, 2008 he was preceded in death by his wife, Ardelle. At the time of his death, Wil was a resident of Holdrege Memorial Homes.

Besides his parents, two wives and son, Wayne Lawrence; Wil was preceded in death by his two brothers: Milton Anderson and his wife, Helen and Clifford Anderson and his wife, Liza; four sisters: Gladys Anderson at a young age, Florence Anderson, Dorothy Hanson and her husband, John, and Janet Driscoll and her husband, Phillip; sister-in-law, Imogene Anderson; and brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Anderson.

He leaves to mourn his passing; his daughter, Paula Coffey and her husband, Jim of Chariton, Iowa; two grandchildren: Erik Coffey and his wife, BG of Bethany, Missouri and Erin Coffey of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; two great-grandchildren: Carci Kae Coffey and Crae Ian James Coffey; one sister-in-law, Mary Anna Anderson of Holdrege; five nephews: Dr. Scott Anderson and his wife, Sandy of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Mark Anderson and his wife, Delia of New Lenox, Illinois, Dr. Daniel Anderson and his wife, Karen of North Mankato, Minnesota, John Driscoll and his wife, Jeanne of Metairie, LA, Dr. Philip Driscoll, Jr. and his wife, Kathy of Browning, Montana; one niece, Mary Kennedy and her husband, Dr. Thomas Kennedy of Metairie, LA; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in Wil's honor and kindly suggested to the Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Gideon's International or the Phelps Community Pantry.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.