Nilde Mary Anderson

MADISON- Nilde Mary Nobile Anderson, age 91, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2015 at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, WI. She was born on February 4, 1924, in Baraboo, WI., the daughter of Angelina Brescia Tomaselli and Louis Nobile. Nilde graduated from Baraboo High School and worked at both the Badger Army Ammunition's Plant and the Badger Candy Kitchen wherein she met her lifelong love. On January 27, 1948, she married Arthur Jerome Anderson. She and Art danced for 67 years and amid those years celebrated the birth of five daughters and one son. Nilde was a most calming and compassionate woman. Her presence and approach was always focused on the needs of those around her. This emphasis extended to both her immediate and extended families as well as to all who knew her. She loved to have the entire family at their humble home, and thrived on every minute of the laughter and family memories that were created. Everyone around Nilde became recipients of her everlasting and abounding love, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Even until the very last moments, when she awakened from a 5-year endurance of Alzheimer's, she ensured her departure and preparation of the same was well timed amid the holiday gatherings. She was amazing. As a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Nilde's hands were among her most memorable features. If her hands could share, they would outline her love for holding her grandkids, spending time with them on her back yard swing, sewing, cooking, cleaning, baking, and gardening. They would reflect her love for life, nature, and for living every day to the fullest and keeping optimism and possibility at the forefront. Her hands would also unveil memories of making cookie dough and allowing her grandkids to eat it, flicking ice cream to Asti her dog to get him in the house, raking for jelly beans, sipping tea, dancing with Art, picking millions of gladiolas, tulips and pints of strawberries, preparing hundreds of hearty, homemade, warm family dinners with all the trimmings, and the abundance of affectionate times she held, cared for and deeply loved each of her children and grandchildren. Nilde was a faithful member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, until Alzheimer's took her away. She was a peaceful soldier during her Alzheimer's years, and has been deeply missed. She is survived by her husband, Arthur J. Anderson, Madison, WI., six children: Cynthia (Lin) Anderson, St. Paul, MN., Julie (Rodney) Feld, Aurora, IL., Nina (Dan Olson) Wilson, Janesville, WI., Lori (James) Wersal, Stoughton, WI., Ron (Lisa) Anderson, Fitchburg, WI., and Amy (Timothy) Kiefer, Appleton, WI.; twelve grandchildren: Eric Feld, Nick Feld, Andrew Feld, Joel (Stephanie) Feld, Natalie (Alex) Nelson, Jonathan Wilson, Anthony Wilson, Angela (Jon) Robinson, Austin Wersal, Garrison Kiefer, Gabrielle Kiefer, and Grace Kiefer; six great grandchildren: Madison Feld, Leighton Feld, Bennett Feld, Hudson Feld, Carter Nelson, and Asher Nelson; and three siblings: Elizabeth "Betty" Borgrud, Waunakee, WI., Evelyn (Byron) Tetzlaff, Reedsburg, WI., Louis (Pat) Tomaselli, Reedsburg, WI. The Anderson family sends appreciation and love to the care givers at Oak Park Place Memory Care for the fondness they developed along with the dignity that they afforded Mom during her long haul with Alzheimer's. The family also extends warm gratitude to all of the wonderful staff at St. Mary's hospital; we could not have made it through the first week of Mom's final days without the wonderful compassion you bestowed upon our family. Lastly, the family would like to acknowledge the collective team at Agrace Hospice for their final and forever warm send-off of Mom onto her next journey. A celebration of Nilde's life will take place at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.