Barry L. Anderson

Service Details

In keeping Barry’s humble wishes, his Celebration of Life will be held with family in his backyard at a later date.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the music program at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 1501 Erie Street, Racine, WI 53402.

Barry L. Anderson, 84, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home Friday evening with the love of his life, his wife of 63 years, Mary Lee, by his side. Born to the late Roy Albert Anderson and Lorraine (nee: Webster) Secanky in Racine, WI on September 10, 1941, Barry brought endless joy and happiness with his presence from the beginning.

Barry’s life was centered around his faith, and he lived it fully through St. John’s Lutheran Church. He first met Mary Lee in the 5th grade at St. John’s and he was a proud graduate of Lutheran High Class of 1959. Later in life, you would find him every Sunday in his favorite pew listening to Mary Lee and the rest of the choir usually with children or grandchildren in tow.

That faith was the core of the kindness Barry was famous for that extended into his business and professional life. His career began at SC Johnson Wax on the production line. After a few years, he finally had his last dream about “the line” and would no longer wake up Mary Lee by twisting her cheek and telling her that there was “too much glue on the labels.” Soon after, he met Kenny Hoernel of Hoernel Key Shop who taught him everything he knew about being a locksmith and eventually sold the business to Barry in 1966. Barry was well-known in the community and established a reputation for honesty, integrity, and reliability, traits that helped him establish countless relationships over the years. Barry’s son Tim continues the Hoernel Key Shop legacy today.

Without question, the true legacy that Barry left behind was his family. Whenever asked about meeting his wife in 5th grade, he would smile, wink, and say “I had my eye on her.”  Together, their life was full of family, friends, and love. Some particularly memorable moments revolved around their cabin on Spider Lake. They spent many happy summer days there either simply listening to the loons while sharing their morning coffee or going for a swim and floating in the sun, catching some rays.

Barry was a renowned sports fan and athlete. You could usually find him and Mary Lee watching their children or grandchildren’s games. Those brave enough could challenge him to a quick game of “HORSE” in the front yard or a game of “Slow Motion Football” in the backyard. He enjoyed all sports but baseball, basketball, duck hunting, fishing and handicapping the horse races were his favorites. He would spend endless hours studying the horses, his favorite teams, or simply discussing strategy in his “Sports Palace”- also known as the back porch, which is full of sports memorabilia. While his sporting interests were a joy, in the end Barry was happiest spending time with his children and his adored grandchildren.

Barry’s memory will forever be cherished by his wife Mary Lee; their children Timothy (Kathy) Anderson, Susan (Chris) Thoennes, and Jennifer (John) Mandli; Grandchildren, Justin (Carly) Anderson, Benjamin (Jessie) Anderson, Jess (Cody Black) Thoennes, Olivia and Camille Thoennes, Jonah (Kate) Mandli and Lauren Mandli. Great grandchildren, Adeline and Luke Anderson, and Quinn Mandli, sisters Patricia Hellenberg, Jackie (John) Anderson-Newton and sister-in-law Kathy Stanis, dear friends Johnny Miller, Rod Adel, and Tommy Patrick as well as endless others who are too numerous to mention. He cherished all of your friendships. He was preceded in death by his stepfather John Secanky, sister Kathleen Secanky, father and mother in-law Bob and Edna Friederichs, Grampa and Grandma Irv Kriedeman and his brother-in-law Carl Hellenberg.

A heartfelt note of thanks to Froedtert Cancer Center and to Dr. Thomas Giever and his staff, to Dr. Scott Johnson, to Dr. Zorns, to St. Croix Hospice team Kathy, Tammi, Emily, and Halina and, of course, to our devoted Pastor and friend Rev. Jack Gilbert.

In keeping Barry’s humble wishes, his Celebration of Life will be held with family in his backyard at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been suggested to the music program at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 1501 Erie Street, Racine, WI 53402.