Laurel O.E. Anderson

Laurel O.E. Anderson, 96, of Fond du Lac, died Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home. He was born on January 21, 1917, in Marinette, Wisconsin, the 2nd child of Ivan G. and Hilma (Leonardson) Anderson. Around 1920, the family settled in the Milwaukee area where upon completion of school, Laurel worked at Allis Chalmers where he met the love of his life, Dorothy E. Timm. They were married on October 9, 1937. During these early years, Laurel cultivated his love for Amateur Radio. One could hear him call, “CQ, CQ, calling CQ…Walter’s 9 Belly Tickling Youngsters…W9BTY” on many frequencies or “chewing the rag” on many radio nets at any hour of the day. His greatest enjoyment was coming up with, optimizing and testing antenna designs. His radio station was a hobby he practiced up until the last year of his life.After WWII, Laurel and many of his family members worked together at Anderson Furnace Company in West Allis, WI. After leaving Anderson Furnace Company, Laurel moved his family to Fond du Lac in 1965. Shortly thereafter, he became the Fond du Lac representative for Sentry Insurance, retiring from that position in 1979.During their retirement, Laurel and Dorothy enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends and doting on their grandson, Brian.Laurel was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, its Men’s Club and the Widowers’ Club.He is survived by a daughter, Lori (Jeff) Lurvey of Fond du Lac, and a grandson, Brian Lurvey. He is further survived by three of his sisters: Alice Schroeder, Jeanne Gruel, and Margaret (Reinhold “Jake”) Gruel; one sister-in-law, Grace Anderson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.After 71 years of marriage, Dorothy preceded him in death on January 1, 2009. Additionally, he was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Evan “Henning”, Vernon, Harold, and Leonard; one sister: Gloria White; three brothers-in-law: Robert White, Donald Schroeder, and Alfred Gruel; three sisters-in-law: Clara “June” Anderson, Harriet Anderson, and Margaret Anderson; and by Dorothy’s sister and her husband, Robert and Margaret Sprague.A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent Street, Fond du Lac, with Rev. Steve Huff officiating. Inurnment will follow in Rienzi Cemetery.The family will greet relatives and friends at church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.Memorials may be directed to Fond du Lac Lutheran Home, Hope Lutheran Church or Fond du Lac Amateur Radio Club, Fond du Lac.

Laurel O.E. Anderson

January 21, 1917 - May 14, 2013