Orrin A. Anderson Obituary (1937 - 2012)

Orrin A. Anderson, age 74 of Wheeler, WI died Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Mayo Clinic Health System – Menomonie. Orrin was born June 8, 1937 in Eau Claire, WI to Orrin and Lillian (Rand) Anderson. He was a graduate of Memorial High School and then went on to earn a degree at Long Beach State University in Long Beach, CA where he had been an assistant coach under Coach Jerry Tarkanian. Orrin served in the U.S. Army from October of 1961 until August of 1962, during the Berlin Crisis. Orrin was an avid supporter of athletics. In just a short time after meeting Orrin, you were informed he was on the 1955 Memorial High School Basketball State Championship Team. Ask him a statistic about his beloved Badgers or Packers and he knew the answer. He was an enthusiastic reader and Orrin went on to own and operate an Antique Bookstore in Long Beach for 14 years. He returned to Wisconsin and met the love of his life, Karn and they married in1988 in Las Vegas, NV. Karn had four sons and Orrin became an instant father. He loved those four boys and attended every event they had while in school. They were musically inclined and Orrin enjoyed going to band concerts as well as musicals put on at Boyceville High School. According to his family, Orrin loved music, but was not the best vocalist, only singing while driving his riding lawnmower in the back yard. He also loved watching the history and antique channels. Orrin worked at Sears in Eau Claire for many years until retiring two years ago. He and Karn lived in the Century Old Fortney Family Home Farm north of Wheeler. Survived by his wife, Karn of Wheeler; four step-sons, Anthony Rock of Menomonie, Daniel Rock of Colfax, Steven (Sabrina McGary) Rock of Dover, DE and Thomas Rock of Menomonie; one granddaughter, Bailey; many cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Elizabeth Tead and Janet Rood. A Memorial Service will take place at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, April 20, 2012 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Wheeler with Pastor Ron Burke officiating. A visitation will take place from 11:00 A.M. until time of service at the church. Burial will be in Our Saviors Lutheran Cemetery in the Town of Hay River, Dunn Co. WI with military honors by Menomonie Veterans Honor Guard. Following the burial, all are welcome to join the family at The Home Farm for a time of fellowship and reflection. Olson Funeral Home of Menomonie is serving the family.