Elaine Iris Andersen

Elaine Iris Andersen passed away peacefully with her son Eric at her side on Saturday, February 17, 2018, in Waukesha, WI. She was born on December 27, 1923 to Laura and Tony Gunderson in Necedah, Wisconsin. Elaine was baptized into the Lutheran Church on July 4th, 1926.
Elaine met her future husband, LeRoy Andersen at the USO in Racine during his Naval military service. After a brief courtship they were married on August 16,1946. They would raise their children as LeRoy answered the Lord's call to ministry, ultimately serving as founding pastor at Galilee Lutheran Church in Pewaukee, WI from 1955 to 1985. Elaine's service to her family and church was boundless. As one could imagine, a pastor's home life and church members' lives often overlapped which she sweetly took in stride no matter the challenge or inconvenience.
Starting in the 1970's, she worked at the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, ultimately retiring after an over twenty five year career. Over the years Elaine and LeRoy traveled to China, Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land. As grandchildren arrived there was plenty of opportunity to shower them with love and laughter – a gift Elaine never lost even after LeRoy's untimely passing in 1988. From that time, Elaine continued to fuss over the growing number of grandchildren and great grandchildren while never losing her love of baseball, the Packers or displaying her prodigious skill at producing baskets – all stamped: "Hand Crafted by Elaine Andersen".
Elaine is preceded in death by her parents Laura and Tony Gunderson; brothers Wilbur and Morlan Gunderson; sisters Norma Thuriot and Pearl Burton, mother-in-law Marie Andersen and father-in-law the Reverend Edward R. Andersen.

She is survived by her sister Muriel Hendricks of Belcamp, Maryland, and her children: Paul Andersen and his wife Dotti of Tomahawk, Laurel Andersen of Waukesha, Eric Andersen of Waukesha, Ellen Andersen of Studio City, CA and Carole Horton and her husband John of Tomball, TX.

Grandchildren: Heather Mork and her husband Jamie of Greenville, Matthew Andersen and his wife Alicia of Cameron, Jordan Cruz of Tomball, TX, Reagan Horton of Tomball, TX, Sean Driscoll and his wife Mary of Milwaukee, Neal Driscoll of Waukesha and Peter Driscoll of Waukesha.

Great Grandchildren: Allison Mork, Jacob Mork, Matali Andersen, Ariahna Andersen, Mackenzie Driscoll, Devin Driscoll, Dylan Driscoll and Violet Driscoll.