Wayne L. Andersen

Wayne was born to Mildred and Milo Andersen on a farm near Kimballton, Iowa. Then, he and his younger sister Janet were raised on the Andersen farm outside Elk Horn, Iowa. Wayne participated in many school activities, including sports, 4-H, drama, and music. He developed a strong work ethic, raising calves and pigs to earn money for college. His Danish roots led him to Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, where he graduated with a degree in Business. During his senior year at Dana, he met Judy Thomas. They married in 1965 and celebrated their 60th anniversary this past February. Wayne and Judy lived in Omaha, York, and Minden, Nebraska, where Wayne worked for International Harvester. He served in the Nebraska National Guard. In 1967, after their first child, Chris was born, they moved back to Omaha for Wayne’s new job at Western Electric. Jenny, their second child, was born in 1969. Wayne loved watching his children grow up and was active in their lives. He especially loved participating in their youth sports activities, coaching Chris’ basketball team and Jenny’s soccer team. He and Chris joined Indian Guides and loved the annual Pinewood Derby. With Jenny, he joined Indian Princesses, where their nicknames were Wildflower and Big Weed. Wayne and Judy took their children on many camping adventures to Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Judy’s parents frequently accompanied them with their trusty pop-up camper on these trips. Wayne had a warm relationship with Judy’s parents and extended family. Wayne’s family made many cherished memories, spending time on his parents’ farm with his sister Janet and her family. Dancing around the Christmas tree, eating Danish food, and attending Tivoli Fest were ways of connecting with his Danish heritage. In the summer of 1983, Wayne’s parents took Wayne’s and Janet’s families to Denmark for a memorable trip to visit relatives and meaningful family sites. In 2000, after retirement, Wayne and Judy moved to Estes Park, Colorado, where they lived for twenty-two years after building their mountain home. Wayne made many friends through golfing, hiking, Rotary, Salud, and Salvation Army. The year he served as “Big Duck” for the annual Estes Park Rotary Duck Race was a highlight for him. Wayne and Judy loved camping and traveling to Great Britain, Canada, Italy, New Zealand, Iceland, and throughout the U.S. Just as Superman’s Fortress of Solitude served as a secluded retreat, “Wayne’s World” was his sanctuary. It was a place where he could escape the world, relax, watch the Huskers, Rockies, golf, and volleyball, and take an occasional nap. Wayne’s greatest joy was his family, including his six grandchildren and great-grandson, and he said that moving back to the Omaha area in 2022 to be close to family was “one of the best decisions we ever made.” Wayne left a legacy of generosity, kindness, work ethic, service to others, and love for his family. We will miss him and feel grateful for his loving presence in our lives. Wayne is survived by his wife Judy; son Chris (KC) Andersen; daughter Jenny (Virgil) Oligmueller; grandchildren: Carly, Fischer, Courtney Andersen; Jackson, Grace, Parker Oligmueller; great-grandson Jameson Oligmueller; sister Janet (Doug) Johnson; aunt Reta Larsen; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Milo and Mildred Andersen. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at 2pm on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Reichmuth Funeral Home. A RECEPTION will follow from 3 – 5pm also at Reichmuth Funeral Home. Because Wayne loved his flannel shirts, the family will be wearing some of his favorites. We welcome you to wear a flannel shirt, too. Memorials are suggested to https://parkinsonsnebraska.org/donate/ or https://www.kidneyfund.org/

Wayne L. Andersen

June 10, 1941 - February 22, 2025