MT PLEASANT, WI – Donald "Andy" Edward Anderson, 87, passed away on January 17, 2024.

Andy was born in Big Falls, WI, in February 1936, delivered by a midwife during a snowstorm. He spent his childhood in Milwaukee before moving to Racine.

He served in the Army Security Agency based in Taiwan and enjoyed his travels there and to Japan. He graduated from UW-Stout with a degree in education and taught Industrial Arts at Washington Junior for a decade and Mitchell Middle School until he retired.

In 1983 he met Marlene Dechant, a widow. Apparently undaunted by the prospect of moving in with 7 of her 9 children and her mother, he proposed and they married in 1984.

Andy took pride being a mentor in the Big Brother program. He lov ed watching auto races, was an avid golfer, and enjoyed building things in his wood shop at home. In retirement, he and Marlene enjoyed escaping the Wisconsin winters down to their second home in Lakeland, FL (more golf!). He was a member of St Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Mt Pleasant, WI, and St Anthony Catholic Church in Lakeland, FL.

Andy is survived by his loving spouse of 39 years, Marlene; his 7 step-children, Lee (Paula) Dechant, Edward (Anne) Dechant, Brian (Barbie) Dechant, Janette (Shane) Scarbrough, JoAnn (Claudia) Dechant, Robert Dechant, and Bernard (partner Michelle) Dechant; his sister Kathy (Glen) Konrad; his sister-in-law Marge; nephews and nieces Brian, Lori, Eric and Amy; and 12 stepgrandchildren and 6 stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval & Viola Anderson, his brother, Dennis "Denny", and two stepchildren, Jacqueline Rose Dechant and Mary Jo Newcomb.

A private memorial will be held with internment at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, cards can be sent to the family c/o Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd. Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. Donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Primrose Racine.