Our beloved Mom, Sandra (Sandie) Anderson, ended her courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer on November 27, 2022 with family by her side. She is now with her Savior and reunited with her dear husband Jerry Anderson.

Sandra was born on November 8, 1938 in Monticello, Wisconsin to Elwood and Lorna Schwers.

She enjoyed her early life in Monticello surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and many fun loving cousins. In the late 1940s, Sandra moved with her parents and brother to Rice Lake, Wisconsin where the family owned and operated a meat market now known as the Butcher Shop. Sandra graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1956. She was active in student life, particularly as a member of the marching band. In June of 1956, Sandra married John (Jerry) Anderson and made their home in rural Cumberland. They became parents of three children and the family moved to rural Rice Lake in the spring of 1969. Sandra supported her children’s projects in the Barron County 4-H program. Her involvement in her children’s 4-H activities lead Sandra to take on many 4-H leadership roles on the local, county and state level. Sandra’s work with the Barron County 4-H Dog Project touched the lives of many young people and their dogs. Her passion for all things canine blossomed into acquiring and showing her Champion Pugs as well as breeding and raising Pugs. She was an avid fan of animal swap meets and would often bring home to the farm dogs and other creatures to add to the family’s menagerie of pets. Sandra was also a founding member of the Barron County Humane Society. One highlight of Sandra’s summers was the Barron County Fair. She was excited to be elected to the Barron County Fair Board and eventually took on the role of Fair Secretary. Until her passing, Sandra looked forward to fair week each summer. Sandra was an active member of and held leadership roles in Barron County Homemakers. She participated in the Rice Lake Fortnightly Club and Rice Lake Elks Club. Sandra enjoyed lunching with her Red Hats group and celebrating birthday lunches with her high school friends. Each morning during the week, Sandra went “to coffee” with her friends who became the well-known ladies coffee group at Norske Nook. Sandra was a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake. As a teenager, Sandra was involved in Luther League, serving as President. As an adult she was active in Naomi Circle, participated in many bible studies and helped serve refreshments at church activities. Sandra also enjoyed participating in special holiday events at Brentwood Assisted Living, where she knew many residents. Sandra was quick to offer rides to church and other errands to elderly Bethany members in “Sandie’s taxi.”

Sandra is survived by her three children - Steve (Nora) Anderson of Boone, Iowa, Linda (Jim) Kleinschmidt of Bend, Oregon, and Mark (Paula) Anderson of Rice Lake, her five grandchildren – Matthew (Trista) Anderson of Fall Creek, Wisconsin, Meghan (Eric) Breitbarth of Boone, Iowa, Josh (Cristin) Anderson of Bloomer, Wisconsin, Kelsey Anderson and Austin Anderson of Rice Lake, three great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Joan Schwers of Big Timber, Montana and three nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband John (Jerry) Anderson, her brother Elwood (Butch) Schwers and her parents Elwood and Lorna Schwers.

The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Marshfield Clinic Oncology Department and Lakeview Medical Center Hospice as well as the staff at Cambridge Assisted Living.

Funeral Services will be held at 11AM Thursday, December 8, 2022 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Rice Lake, Rev. Sue Eidahl officiating, with interment in Lakeside Cemetery in Cumberland, WI. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake and for one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Last Update: Nov 30, 2022 6:41 am CST