Obit: Anding, Frank John (1918 - 2009)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Anding, Defoe, Batz, Miner, Durand, Pace 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) August 26, 2009 
 

Anding, Frank John (5 February 1918 - 22 August  2009) With Flag 
 

Frank John Anding, 91, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN.  He resided at the Veteran’s Home in Minneapolis, MN, for the last 1 ½ years.   
 

Frank was born Feb. 5, 1918, in Superior to Frank Oscar Anding and Mary Defoe.  He had a twin brother, George Henry Anding. Their mother died when they were just four years old. Their father was unable to provide and care for them; thus Frank and George were raised by Catholic nuns in an orphanage at Odana until the age of 17. Frank and George returned to live with their dad in a log cabin in the woods near Granton, where they worked on farms in Granton, Chili and Spencer.  Later, Frank enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps Oct. 1, 1939, at Perkinstown for one year as a night guard prior to enlisting in the Army Oct. 15, 1940, at the age of 22.  He joined the Wisconsin 32^nd Division, 128^th Infantry of the Red Arrow Company and was later stationed at Camp Livingston and Borlgard, LA.  Frank served overseas in the Pacific Theater in New Guinea, Philippines and Australia from 1942 to 1945 and was honorably discharged June 7, 1945. 
 

After his discharge, he traveled out West through South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah and worked in the oil fields.  When he returned to the Midwest, Frank worked for Oscar Meyer for 33 years where he met his wife Armella Batz, whom he married Sept. 28, 1952.  After retiring in 1982, they traveled to various states visiting family and friends.  They also were active in their church, Knights of Columbus, Moose Lodge and VFW. 
 

Frank enjoyed returning for the Red Arrow reunions every summer.  He was a great dancer, cribbage player and gardener, especially flowers.  He loved the outdoors and all the beauty of nature and children as well, even though he had none of his own.  He enjoyed all 15 of his brother George and Annabelle’s children. 
 

After Armella’s death in 1988, he continued to be active in church functions and met Pearl Miner, whom he wed in 1994.  He was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in late 1994 and after three weeks, Pearl also was involved in a separate accident and died eight weeks later as Frank was recovering in rehab.  After well enough, he came to live with his niece, Marilyn Anding Durand, and her husband Mike, in the Apple Valley/Burnsville, MN area for the last 12 years until admitted to the Veteran’s Home in Minneapolis in late 2007. 
 

He is survived by many nieces and nephews in the Neillsville area as well as many grand nieces and nephews and a sister-in-law, Annabelle Anding. 
 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother George and two wives.  
 

Frank’s body, according to his wishes, was donated to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program for research and educational purposes.  His internment with military honors will be held later in Madison. 
 

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville with Father Woodrow Pace officiating.  Lunch will follow in the fellowship hall in the basement.