Grayce V. Andersen

Nov. 13, 1923 - Dec. 20, 2004

Grayce V. Andersen, 81, formerly of Shorewood and Bradenton, Fla., died peacefully Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, in her hometown, Wisconsin Rapids. She was born to Jules and Hattie (nee Plank) Landry, graduated from Lincoln High and spent two years each in business college and Patricia Stevens School of Modeling.

Grayce was known for her love of animals, including a pet chicken; her beloved cat, King Tut; and an egret, Gregory (Peck), who landed daily on her patio in Bradenton for bread "to make a fish sandwich with his catch" from the canal, so she always said. Speaking of Hollywood celebrities - she met a few, once having lunch with none other than the late Rock Hudson.

Grayce married Charles L. Andersen in 1962 and took wonderful care of him for 31 years. She took special delight in having Charles' daughters and grandkids from his previous marriage to Betty Andersen, and Betty herself, visit them in Bradenton. Charles died in 1993.

Grayce worked at the Sears credit office for 38 years, retiring at age 76. She volunteered at the humane society, had memberships in several social groups and golfed, once achieving a hole-in-one. She belonged to First Church of Christ Scientist in Whitefish Bay and attended First Church of Bradenton.

She is survived by one sister, Pearl (Al) Makurat of Greenfield; her stepdaughters, Bonnie (Bob) Stuempfig of Waukesha and Shari (Mike) Manke of Oconomowoc; grandchildren, Vicki (Jon) Nease, Kerri, Jeremy, Jacob and Megan Manke, all of Oconomowoc, Michael Stuempfig of Waukesha and Becky (Tracy) Zingler of Watertown; and great-grandchildren, Madlyn and Owen Zingler and Cole Nease. She is further survived by nephews, Larry (Pat) Shepard of of Wisconsin Rapids, Dan (Mary) Shepard of of Wisconsin Rapids, Edward (Phyllis) Landry of Sheboygan and David (JoLynn) Shepard of Minnesota, and nieces, Betty (Wallace) Lassa and Darlene (Howard) Schuldt, both of Wisconsin Rapids.

Grayce was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; a sister, Alice Shepard; and brothers, Leon, Roland and Howard Landry.

A memorial service was held Thursday, Dec. 23, at St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner. Committal of her ashes at Pine Lawn Memorial Park in Milwaukee will take place at a later date.

Grayce's local family members wish to thank those from Wisconsin Rapids whose daily care, love and compassion gave her such comfort, also to her nephew, Larry Shepard, who arranged her return to Wisconsin.

She will be dearly missed, but is with the Lord now.