Racine- Leroy E. “Lee” Andersen, 88, passed away unexpectedly at Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Medical Center on Tuesday, January 27, 2009. A lifetime resident, Lee was born in Racine on December 1, 1920 to the late Alfred and Christine (nee: Petersen) Andersen. He graduated from Washington Park High School in 1938. On August 12, 1944 in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Lee was united in marriage with the love of his life, Ione Marie Stindle, who preceded him in death on April 14, 1998. In August of 1946, he founded Lee’s True Value Hardware at 2051 Taylor Avenue. With a profound work ethic and a reputation of honesty, the hardware store continued to succeed with earned respect in our community. The store has been located at their current address, 1950 Taylor Avenue, since 1982, a Racine tradition being carried on by his son, Jerry. A true family man of Christian faith, Lee was a lifetime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Christian Men’s Association and had served on the Board of Directors for Lincoln Lutheran. Among his interests, he enjoyed photography, woodworking, and tending to his yard, especially his rose garden. Above all, Lee loved and cherished being in the surroundings of his entire family – especially his treasured grandchildren. Surviving are his children, Pam (Neill) Frame of Lake Geneva; Linda Sue (the late James Hass) Andersen of Chevy Chase, MD; and Jerry (Mary Jane) Andersen of Racine; grandchildren, Zachary and LeAnne Frame; Andrew and Christopher Hass; Sarah, Emily, Peter, Molly and Michael Andersen; brother-in-law, Robert Clauer of Racine; nieces and nephew, Connie (David) Jones of Spring Valley; Julie (Hans) Richter of Uppsala, Sweden; and Garrick (Lisa) Stindle of Racine; and many other special relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. In addition to his parents and wife, Lee was preceded in death by his sister, Lois Clauer; and brother-in-law, A. Elroy Stindle and sister-in-law, Eleanor Stindle. Funeral services will be held in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2219 Washington Avenue, on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 12:00 noon with Rev. Tracy Polzin officiating. A reception will immediately follow the services. Visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 10 am-12 noon. Private interment will take place in West Lawn Memorial Park. In memory of Lee, memorials to Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization (HALO) at 2000 De Koven Avenue Unit 1 Racine, WI 53403 (http://www.haloinc.org) has been suggested.
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