LuVerne Franklin Anderson, age 90, longtime resident of the Grantsburg, Wisconsin area, passed away on Friday, December 9, 2022. Luverne was born February 27, 1932, in Grantsburg, to Peter C. and Faye (Gile) Anderson.
He grew up on the family farm, south of Grantsburg, attending Grettum School and graduating from Grantsburg High School. He was drafted and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon discharge from the Army, he worked at several jobs, even spending one summer as a cook on an ore boat on Lake Superior. He met and married LuElla Nielsen in 1956. Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, LuVerne attended UW-River Falls. Upon graduation, he began a long career at the Burnett County Government Center first as a juvenile corrections officer and later transferring into the social work department. He continued his education with graduate courses in the field of social work.
In 1973, LuVerne's beloved wife LuElla died of a brain aneurism, leaving LuVerne to provide for their four children, ages 8 to 15. With help from friends and neighbors, he was able to care for his children, manage his job and the work of keeping a small farm.
Retiring from the County, he began a 20-year volunteer “career”, driving the elderly in Burnett and Polk County to medical appointments. He loved meeting and getting to know so many interesting people, sharing stories and life experiences.
Throughout his life, LuVerne loved the out-of-doors and many adventures. He loved to travel in the U.S. and abroad, eventually visiting 31 countries. On one of these trips, he met and fell in love with Helen Drake from Kansas City. They were married in 2004 and enjoyed their travels together until he was no longer able to travel.
LuVerne was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother Kenneth and sister Eileen, wives LuElla and Linda, daughter Terrie Giller, brother Peter Anderson and brother-in-law Wally Madsen..
He leaves to celebrate his memory his wife of 18 years, Helen; children, Billie Ray (JoAnne) Anderson, Daryl (Tammy) Anderson, Tamera (Greg} Guggisberg; step-children, Amy (Bob) Rote, Jeff (Wendy) Drake, Elizabeth (Joshua) Hunt, and Kurt Vail. Sister Shirley Madsen, brother Roger (Delores) Anderson, and sister-in-law Marleen Anderson. Grandchildren Kallie (David) Branstad, Dustin Luke, Reilly Giller, Stephanie Anderson, Graidy Guggisberg. Step-grandchildren, Joe Drake, Erin (Ryan) Elliott; Milo, Jose, Matiu, and Cosmo Drake; Caitlin and Sarah Hunt. Also eight great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
LuVerne was a lifelong Lutheran and member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Grantsburg. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022 beginning at 1 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church, with visitation beginning at 11 AM. Following the service burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Grantsburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Grantsburg Food Shelf, Bethany Lutheran Church, Grantsburg Library or Burnett Medical Center Foundation.
