Janet Bredenkamp Anderson, 86

Winter Haven, Fla. / Middleton, Wis.

It has been said that behind every great man is a strong woman. Our family finds that technically incorrect and feels that beside every great man is a strong woman. There was no stronger woman than our mother, Jan Anderson. She demonstrated this every day of their 63+ year marriage, and in her final days and hours while she was temporarily front and center. Their bond was simply too strong to be broken, and she passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, with her children by her side. As happy as Jan was to move back to Wisconsin to be near her family, losing the love of her life proved to be too much, and they reunited just 3½ weeks after his passing.

She is survived by her children, Andrea Van Nest (Matt) and Edward Demmler Jr., aka “Andy” (Teri); granddaughters, Ella and Zoe; brother-in-law, Tom (Bege) Anderson; sister-in-law, Britta Anderson, niece, Kay Lynn; and nephews, Bo, Larry, David, Bill and Scott. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward; twin sister. Joan Baker; brother-in-law, Hugh; and parents, Christ and Marian Bredenkamp.

Jan and Ed met by chance in Evansville, Ind. After being rejected upon asking Jan’s identical twin, Joan, out for a date, our father asked if there was anyone else at home just like her. Turns out there was! Nice recovery on Dad’s part, and one that set them on their path for many decades. In our father's obituary, we made mention of an adventurous dinner table. There was always room at that table for anyone who needed or wanted a meal, and we met plenty of interesting characters over the years. That being said, if you expressed any opinions on her cooking, you needed to be prepared to wear it.

Jan was a master at April Fools pranks. Short-sheeted beds, safety pinned boxers, booby trapped liquor cabinets and false alarms about flooded basements were all part of her craft. Speaking of crafts, she was an artist long before Ed. Dried flower arrangements, stained glass, quilts and crochet, decoupage, and a true scrap booker, she had an eye for creating wonderful things out of simple materials. She was also wicked with a sledgehammer and was known to punch a hole through a wall without any real plan for what to do next; it sure was nice to have a laundry chute added to the second-floor bathroom.

To say that she was a collector would be a major understatement. Thousands of cookbooks, antiques, and other odds and ends she simply called her treasures - she was arguably a pioneer in the up-cycling movement. She created her own style with jewelry and her funky hats and drew comments about them from total strangers. We always had grape jelly, jam, juice and wine in our house from vines in the yard and canned foods from the gardens in the cellar. Card games, board games, and soap operas were all part of the daily routine. Well, at least on the days she let us stay in the house instead of locking us out for outdoor summer playtime.

What we are most proud of, however, is the dedication she had to caring for and protecting each of us. We weren’t always proud in the moment; for example, when she climbed on our grade school bus in her nightgown and an eye patch to demand that the bus driver make sure we were seated before taking off. But we look back on that memory now with pride and a chuckle. We are also immensely proud of the courage she demonstrated when diagnosed with dementia, advocating for herself early on in a quest to learn more about the disease.

Along the way and until the very end, Jan never met a stranger and loved to wave at everyone that passed by. She always had a warm washcloth for every forehead and a gentle touch for every arm, which even in her final days left one of her nurses at Meriter wondering exactly who was caring for whom. Mom was the ultimate nurturer and fighter who always did things her own unique way. Plain and simple.

We are in awe of this beautiful 63+ year love story. Celebrations of Mom and Dad’s lives will be scheduled at later dates in both Wisconsin and Florida. In the meantime, we are grateful for the nursing teams at Meriter and Agrace for keeping Mom comfortable and taking care of us as we all lovingly prepared for her peaceful passing. Donations may be made in Jan’s memory to Meriter Foundation/Areas of Greatest Need in Madison. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761

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Edward Demmler Anderson, 86

Winter Haven, Fla.

Ed passed away at home in Winter Haven, Fla., on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, with his lovely bride, Janet, at his side. Jan and Ed married March 18, 1961, in Evansville, Ind., and have been inseparable since. Their time together was always eventful as everyone who had dinner with them could attest. They were admired by all for their enduring love for one another. To the end, Ed honored and stayed committed to the vows he took of caring for Jan in sickness and in health. He is survived by his wife, Janet Bredenkamp Anderson; children, Andrea Van Nest (Matt) and Edward Demmler Jr., aka “Andy” (Teri); granddaughters, Ella and Zoe; brothers, Hugh aka his “twin/wombmate: (Britta) and Tom (Bege); niece, Kay Lynn; and nephews, Bo, Larry, David, Bill and Scott. He is also survived by scores of friends around the country - you know who you are.

From a very early age, Ed fought for and stood up for what he thought was right. While others did not always see it his way, he always held firm in his convictions. Before moving to Florida, Ed called various places around the country home, but none more special than the square-log home that he and Jan built themselves in Neshkoro, Wis., with the help of family and friends. He could sell anything, build anything, fix anything and tried to spray paint everything. He loved camping, classic cars, a great steak, and a good snipe hunt, but mostly enjoyed shooting the breeze with his family and old friends while having a good laugh. Always up for an adventure, Ed graduated Magnus Cum Laude in 1974 from the Hawaiiana Hotel’s Hula Class where he was found to be high spirited, good natured and worthy of the Happy Kamaaina. In 2021, he picked up a paint brush for the very first time and found his new passion in art, proudly completing several paintings.

A strong work ethic was at his core, with his proudest efforts spent building a successful sales office in Milwaukee or just cutting and stacking wood. But what made him tick most was service to others: from his years in the Indiana National Guard to hundreds of Shriner parades in the scarab and antique car units to starting the Wautoma Father’s Day Car Show, and most recently as a Valet at the local hospital and Chaplain at the Winter Haven Masonic Lodge. He believed in stepping up and giving back and inspired countless others to do the same.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

To know Ed was to love him and if you did not meet him, you really missed out.

Janet (Bredenkamp) and Edward Demmler Anderson

January 24, 1938 - September 11, 2024

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