Arnold P Anderson

FITCHBURG- Arnie occupied this world from May 8, 1939, to Nov. 6, 2011. He grew up on a dairy farm in Houston, Minn., the youngest of four boys. After graduating from St. Olaf College, he attended Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. He was commissioned and served as officer of the deck underway during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He later served as a demolition instructor (a skill he retained) with a Beach Jumper unit. After the service, he taught high school in West Allis before enrolling at Marquette Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1969. He clerked for Justice Connor Hansen of the Wisconsin Supreme Court before beginning practice in Eau Claire and later Hartford, with Mohr & Anderson, SC. He was employed by Wisconsin Reinsurance Corp. in Madison from 1995 to present. He authored six editions, plus annual updates, of a widely used reference book, Wisconsin Insurance Law. Arnie also studied the Christian faith and strove to live a life of love that included his family, friends and colleagues. He learned the stories of nearly all he met. He could talk with anyone, and he did. He loved to play basketball, most often with a noon pickup game in Sun Prairie, but he knew when gyms were open all over the state and planned depositions accordingly. Music was very important to him; he sang to anyone, anywhere, but mostly in his church choirs. He loved to harmonize, sometimes singing his own version of the music. Most of all, he deeply loved and was very proud of his children and their spouses, Eric (Chris) of Eden Prairie, Minn., Kari Sue Adams of Las Vegas, and Michael (Kara) of Minnetonka, Minn. He treasured his grandchildren, Ari and Ellis, Avery and Nora. In addition to his children and grandchildren, he is survived by his wife, Sally, who was his loving partner in all things, his best friend and soul mate. He considered it his job to make her laugh, and he did it well. He also is survived by a brother, Sigurd (Elsiemae) of Crosslake Minn., a sister-in-law, Margaret of Houston, Minn.; nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents, Laurence and Minnie (Dahle), and brothers, Donald and Robert, predeceased him. The family wishes to thank Walter Longo, M.D., Beth, Dawn, Barb and all who provided excellent care and became friends over the many years of his illness; Terry Wendorff and everyone at Wisconsin Re; and the many friends and colleagues who made Arnie’s life rich, challenging and fun. Your stories are part of his. A celebration of Arnie’s will be held at ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2951 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, at noon, on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, with the Rev. Richard Johnson presiding. Family may be greeted at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, and also at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a food pantry of your choice, or a gift to the Carbone Cancer Center, UW School of Medicine, 600 Highland Av., K4/646, Madison, 53792. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a food pantry of your choice, or a gift to the Carbone Cancer Center, UW School of Medicine, 600 Highland Av., K4/646, Madison, 53792. Family may be greeted at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, and also at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. A celebration of Arnie’s will be held at ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2951 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, at noon, on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, with the Rev. Richard Johnson presiding.