D. Donne Anderson

MADISON - D. Donne Anderson, age 90, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Eden Vista Assisted Living surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 27, 1935, in DePere, WI, the son of Delbert and Katherine (VanSistine) Anderson.

Donne earned his bachelor’s degree in risk management from St. Norbert College in 1957, where he was a proud member of the ROTC program. Following graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army and faithfully served until his honorable discharge in 1959.

On June 29, 1957, he married the love of his life, Mary Denil, after the two met and fell in love at a dance at St. Norbert College. Together they built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, and unwavering devotion to one another.

After moving to Madison in 1959, Donne spent the majority of his professional career with Rural Insurance, serving as Director of Health and Life Insurance Underwriting before his retirement.

A faithful member of St. Dennis Catholic Church for more than 65 years, Donne was also active in the E.S.B.M.A. His strong Catholic faith guided his life and brought him great comfort, and he now rests peacefully reunited with Mary.

Donne embraced life with enthusiasm and enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping, and square dancing with Mary as members of the Badger Square Dance Club. A lifelong avid Green Bay Packers and UW Football fan, he continued his passion playing at St. Norbert High School, where he earned All-Conference honors.

Above all else, Donne was a devoted husband, loving father, and proud grandfather who always put his family first. He believed wholeheartedly that his four daughters could accomplish anything sons could, encouraging them with unwavering confidence and support

Donne is survived by his daughters, Kathi (Dave) Erickson, Carole (Jim) Mintz, Susan (Kenny) Schultz, Kim (Mark) Sponem ; granddaughters, Cara (Nat Hanson) Erickson, Amy (Dan Fitzgerald) Erickson, Jami (Joe) Voldrich and Aspen Jo (Jack) Sponem Berris; grandsons, Jason (Melinda) Mintz, Ryan Mintz, Joe (Julia) Schultz, Mason Sponem and Roswell Sponem; nine great-grandchildren, Braxton Hanson, Lu Hanson, Anna Fitzgerald, Danny Fitzgerald, David Fitzgerald, Charlotte Mintz, McKinley Schultz, Oliver Schultz and Adam Voldrich; and brothers-in-law, David (Donna) Denil and Peter Denil.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Anderson; parents, Delbert and Katherine; in-laws, Joseph and Isabelle Denil; and brothers-in-law, Norbert Denil and John Denil.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at QUEEN OF APOSTLES PARISH, ST. DENNIS CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, with the Rev. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. Burial will take place at Highland Memory Gardens in Cottage Grove. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Wednesday.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Dennis Catholic Church, Agrace HospiceCare or Wisconsin Alzheimer’s (Dementia) Association.

“There's no pillow quite so soft as a father's strong shoulder." - Richard Evans

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420