Chester E. Andersen, Jr.

Chester “Chet” E. Andersen, Jr., 94, of Onalaska, passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021, at Springbrook Assisted Living in Onalaska.

He was born in Milwaukee on January 20, 1927, to Chester E. and Edith (Jensen) Andersen, Sr.  He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the sub tender USS Jason in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  On August 5, 1951, Chet married Clara (Clare) Moen in Eureka, Wis.  She preceded him in death on February 26, 2010.

Chet lived most of his life in the Milwaukee area.  He worked as a tool and die maker for Zuelzke Tool & Die of Milwaukee and Rexnord Corp. of Grafton, before retiring.  Beginning in 1991, he and Clare began wintering at Texas Trails RV Resort in Pharr, Texas, making it their permanent home five years later.  Chet moved to Onalaska in March of 2017, to be closer to family.

Chet and Clare enjoyed camping and were members of the National Campers and Hikers Association.  They also loved to travel, which included destinations around the world, and were accomplished square dancers and round dancers.  Chester was a past member and past post commander of American Legion Post 470 of Saukville, Wis.  In his retirement, he volunteered for many years at the Heart Hospital in McAllen, Texas and at Texas Trails.

Chet is survived by his children, Cheryl (Steve) Loehr of Onalaska, Cate (Jim) Gitter of Viroqua, Cara (Albert) Johnson of North Richland Hills, Texas, Corrin (Jim) Di Pasquale of Sunrise, Fla., and Colin (Gloria) Andersen of Sussex, Wis.; fifteen grandchildren, Steph (John) Wahl, Sarah (Alex) Spurlock, Justin (Ginny) Loehr, Jake (Steph) Loehr, Josh (Mai) Gitter, Zak Gitter, Seth (Tracy) Gitter, Trace (Renae) Johnson, Bailey (Jeremy) Rios, Faith (Brandon) Mintz, Noah (Hannah) Di Pasquale, Aaron (Traci) Di Pasquale, Julia Portella, Hope Di Pasquale and Eric (Lydia) Andersen; step-daughter, Lorena Lucero of Houston, Texas; 19 great grandchildren, Aleesha, Tyler, Jenna and Jada Wahl, Ava, Hattie and Louis Loehr, Zoey, Nolan, Winston and Maxine Loehr, Sidney Gitter, Hanna, Emberlyn, Aurora and Natalie Mintz, Mira and Cody Andersen, and Jonathan Lucero; one sister, Ruby Eibs of Fredonia, Wis.; and brothers-in-law, George Wulff of Goodman, Wis., and Donald Person of Turtle Lake, Wis.  In addition to his wife, Clare, he was also preceded in death by two sisters, Leona Wulff and Deloris (Neal) Robinson; a brother, Clifford (Carolyn) Andersen; and brother-in-law, Hank Eibs.

Chet’s family would like to thank the caring staff at Spring Brook Assisted Living of Onalaska and Gundersen Hospice for their excellent compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Friday, September 17 ^th , at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 1201 Main St., in Onalaska, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m.  Pastor Brett Ehlke will officiate.  Burial will take place at a later date in the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, Wis.  A livestream of the service can be accessed through the church’s website at www.stpaulsonalaska.org and clicking the Live Stream link or the Archived link to view it later.

Memorials can be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Onalaska, where Chet was a member, the Coulee Region Humane Society, American Cancer Society, or a charitable organization of the donor’s choosing.