Johnny Robert Anderson was born September 7, (a date he shared with his aunt Elnora) 1952 to Robert J. and Esther A (Cooan) Anderson in Frederic, WI. He attended Indian Creek Grade School and graduated from Frederic High School, class of 1970.
He was the last Vietnam War draftee from Polk County, serving in the U. S. Army. John loved animals and worked hard on the farm from an early age forming Anderson's Denny Lake Farm, Inc. with his parents and brother Daryl. His attention to detail helped build up the herd with registered Holsteins.
Deciding to spread his wings, he would go on to be caretaker for CG Rien Company and food service for Sheraton Midway, St. Paul. Missing his animals he started Shire Ridge Stable in Balsam Lake with a friend breeding Shire draft horses and Lassie collies and giving sleigh rides. At the same time he worked at Jerome Food in Barron. He also worked for Dragon Art Glass, Mpls. And Gordy's IGA, Chippewa Falls.
His passion in life was establishing and recording purple martin colonies in the area and helping his mother maintain a bluebird trail on the farm.
He loved to visit and phone his older family members and enjoyed a good game of 500 cards. He rarely missed family reunions and special occasions. He was a member of Grover Root American Legion, Indian Creek, Purple Martin Conservation Assn and All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church.
After a diagnosis of HIV in 1985 he made a special effort to keep in good physical shape by going to the YMCA, running marathons and biking for his favorite causes. Along this 30 year battle he met many friends through The Aliveness Project that kept him well fed, Minnesota Aids Project that gave him support and the Veterans Hospital that kept him alive.
Preceded in death by his parents and most of his aunts and uncles. Survived by his siblings: Teressa (Dale) Jensen, Dennis (Penny) Anderson, Roberta (Steven) Hansen, James (Nancy) Anderson, Daryl (Sharon) Anderson and Jeanette Anderson, 18 nieces and nephews, Uncle Donald Anderson and Aunts Grace Imme and Mary Peterson, and many friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church, 3100 Park Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407 with Pastor DeWayne Davis officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM on Monday, February 15, 2015 at the Williamson~White Funeral Home in Amery, WI and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Lorain-Union Cemetery in Lorain Township where military honors will be accorded.