Henry Anderson

Henry L. Anderson, 83, of Osseo, WI passed away peacefully on July 17, 2018 at Heritage Court Memory Care in Eau Claire, WI.
Henry was born August 2, 1934 in Minneapolis, MN to the late Henry W.E. and Lillian M. Anderson. Following graduation from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, Henry attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1958 with a degree in Forestry Management. While at the U of M, he met and married his future wife, Gracia (Olson) Anderson. They were married August 29, 1958 at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka, MN. After graduation Henry and Gracia lived in Stillwater, MN briefly then Lancaster, WI where he began working for the Wisconsin DNR. In 1962 they moved their family to Whitehall, WI where Henry began growing Christmas trees in Pigeon Falls, WI while commuting to Madison, WI to work for the DNR. Henry started his Christmas trees with a three-acre planting of Balsam Fir that all died in the drought of 1964. He replanted and then started a tree farm in Osseo, WI in 1966. Henry and Gracia moved their family to Strum, WI in 1971 while building their home in Osseo (completed in 1972). Henry worked at the Eau Claire DNR office as a Forester and advanced to a Regional Forester for several counties until his retirement in 1990. While on their Osseo farm, Henry immersed his family in farming; raising beef and dairy cattle, sheep and chickens over the years. In addition, the family sold Christmas trees on Rudolph Road in Eau Claire, WI for many years until they started a choose and cut Christmas tree business on their Osseo tree farm.
Following his retirement from the DNR, Henry and Gracia started A&K Forestry Consulting business from their home in Osseo with Keith Krajewski. Henry was a member of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association for many years, which allowed Henry and Gracia to travel to Germany, Sweden and Nova Scotia. For 22 years Henry and Gracia traveled to Hawaii during the winter months, enjoying the many friendships they had built over the years.
Henry was never happier than when he was working with or talking about his trees, his garden or fishing in Canada; he shared his love of trees with his children and grandchildren.
Henry is survived by his children: Ken (Ellen) Anderson of Eau Claire, WI, Nancy (Blaze) Brigman of Hudson, WI, Eric Anderson of Suring, WI, Leslie Elliott of Indianapolis, IN, Paul (Mari) Anderson of Lino Lakes, MN and grandchildren: Austin (Melody Ku, fiancé) Brigman, Lewis (Alexa) Brigman and Gracia (Vaughn) Forsythe; Sawyer, Claire, Emma and Henry Anderson; Christian and Mya Elliott; and Alicia, Brielle and Carter Anderson; brother Michael (Donna) Anderson of Bella Vista, AR, sister-in-law Pat Olson of Edina, MN; several nieces and nephews; and step grand-children Jessica Murphy (Lee Schlais), Justin (Teresa) Murphy and Jay (Abby Hinz, fiancé) Blodgett.
In addition to his parents, Henry was preceded in death by his wife Gracia, his sister and brother-in-law Carol Honn and Galen Honn of Edina, MN, his brother-in-law Wallace C. Olson Jr. of Edina, MN, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Shirley Peterson and Dr. Wayne Peterson of Benson, MN, niece Julie Olson of Edina, MN, nephew Doug Peterson of Benson, MN and son-in-law Kevin Elliott of Indianapolis, IN.
The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Court Memory Care, Eau Claire, WI and St. Joseph Hospice for their care and support.
A joint memorial service for Henry and Gracia will be held Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 12:00pm, at the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, 50351 Harmony St., Osseo, WI. Visitation will be held from 10:00am until time of service. A private interment will be held at the Osseo Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials are preferred to Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church, 50351 Harmony St., Osseo, WI 54758 or the family requests you plant a tree in Henry’s honor.
Schiefelbein Funeral Home, Osseo, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.schiefelbeinfh.com.