Vernon E. Anderson, age 92 of Amery, Wisconsin passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at his son's home in Wausau, WI. He was born on July 23, 1918 in Minneapolis, the son of George and Clara Elverum. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; sister, Camilla; and brothers, Carroll and Curtis. He is survived by a brother, John (Irene) Lafayette, CA; Sister-in Law, Audrey Humlie Peterson, Amery, WI; sons, Mark (Sandra) Plymouth, MN; Philip (Mavis)Washington, DC; Paul (Alice) Afton, MN; and Joel (Lynell) Wausau, WI; 8 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren. Vern graduated Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis 1936, St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN 1942, Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN 1945, and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from St. Olaf College 1973. He was founding pastor of Hope Lutheran, Eau Claire, WI, 1945-1951, served English Lutheran Church of Bateman, Chippewa Falls, WI 1945-1951, founding pastor of St. Timothy Lutheran, St. Paul, MN, 1951-1960, and senior pastor of First Lutheran Church, Manitowoc, WI 1960-1969. He was called as Assistant to the Bishop of the Northern Wisconsin District of the American Lutheran Church 1969-1973, Appleton, WI and was elected to the office of Bishop 1973-1984, Wausau, WI. He was Interim Bishop of South-Central Synod of Wisconsin 1991. He had been a board member of Findlandia University, Hancock, MI; Mt. Senario College, Ladysmith, WI; and Carthage College, Kenosha, WI. Vern was a compassionate leader who lived among God's faithful people, proclaimed the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, cared for others and the world God made, and prayed daily for justice and peace in all the earth.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Amery, WI. Visitation is from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Williamson-White Funeral Home, Amery WI; and one hour prior to the service at the church. The committal service will be Monday, April 25, 2011 at Sunset Memorial Park in Minneapolis.