Frederick A. Anderson
December 07, 1948 - January 18, 2026
Obituary
LIVESTREAM SERVICE:
Fred’s Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Friday, January 30, 2026. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”
DEFOREST - Frederick Allen “Fred” Anderson, 77, of Deforest, Wis., left this world the sunny morning of January 18, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. He was a beloved and cherished husband, father, brother, friend and volunteer.
Fred was born on December 7, 1948, in Queens, N.Y., to Frederick and Doris (Soberg) Anderson. He grew up in Pewaukee, Wis., and met his wife of 53 years, Maren (Burdick) Anderson, while at UW-Whitewater, graduating in 1971. They were married on March 11, 1972. He worked at American Family Insurance for 35 years. Fred loved to volunteer and did so with various area organizations, including Olbrich Botanical Gardens, which he was involved with for over three decades. He donated over 30 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. Fred and Maren belonged to Lake Edge UCC for 40 years. During this time, he served on many boards and chaperoned nine youth work camps. Since joining Messiah Lutheran Church he had been part of the mowing team, a greeter and a member of SAM. Fred and Maren enjoyed traveling including several international trips.
Fred is survived by his wife, Maren; daughters, Sara Gryske (Casey) and Erika Anderson; and loving grandchildren, Sophie and Jack Gryske. He is further survived by his siblings, Barbara Brueckner, Ronald Anderson and Donna Wachtendonk; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Mary Bender.
A celebration of Fred’s life will take place at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, Wis., at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Fred’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on "Watch Now" in the Webcast section. A visitation will be held at church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
The family is so grateful for the care and support provided by Brighton Hospice.
In lieu of flowers or gifts the family requests that donations be made in Fred’s memory to either the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704 or to the Friends of Governor Nelson State Park, PO Box 206, Waunakee, WI 53597.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420