James L Anderson

MADISON-James L. “Lee” Anderson, age 86, of Madison, passed away on Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Fitchburg. He was born on July 2, 1927, in Richland Center, the son of James and Emily (Slayback) Anderson. He graduated from Richland Center High School and attended Platteville School of Mines for two years graduating from Missouri School of Mines. He studied civil engineering specializing in highway design at the University of Wisconsin where he was one of the first to be trained on computers. James married Vesta Jean Edgerly on June 1, 1951, in the Little Brown Church in Iowa. He worked as a mining engineer for Cleveland Cliff Mining in the Mesabi Iron Range. He retired from the State of Wisconsin after 33 years. James was a past president of the Winnequah Gun Club where his area of expertise was long-range target shooting and a charter member of the Muzzle Loading Rifle Association. He was also a member of the Mississippi River Ratts and several professional engineering organizations. After Vesta Jean’s passing, James married Lois Gilbert on April 5, 1986. He enjoyed camping, woodworking, hunting, fishing, traveling, and was an amateur civil war enthusiast. James is survived by his wife, Lois; children, Laurinda (Bruce) Berger of Silver Spring, Md., James (Terri) Anderson of Janesville, and Geoff (Diane) Anderson of Madison; step-children, Jay (Laura) Gilbert of Crete, Neb. and Carol (Gregory) Cowan of Portland, Ore.; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Vesta Jean; his parents; and sisters, Ruth and Irene. Funeral services will be held at OAKWOOD VILLAGE PRAIRIE RIDGE TREE OF LIFE CHAPEL, 5565 Tancho Dr., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2014. Burial will be at Basswood Union Church Cemetery, Eagle Township, Richland County, WI. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, American Parkinson Disease Association, or Agrace HospiceCare, Inc. The family wishes to extend a thank you to the staff of The Seasons, The Meadows, and Agrace HospiceCare for their special care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Avenue (608)831-6761