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On Monday, January 6, 2025, Thomas W. Andersen, loving husband, brother, uncle, and dear friend, unexpectantly left the strains of this earth for the portals of Heaven due to a sudden heart attack. Tom was the oldest of six children of Thomas A. Andersen and Irma Jean (Andress) Andersen and the husband of Muriel (Knutson) Andersen.
Born and raised in Racine, Tom was a 1965 graduate of Washington Park High School. In 1968, he was drafted into the US Army and served our country in Viet Nam as a Classified Documents Control Specialist at Long Binh with top security clearance. He was discharged in 1970. He was able to go on his Stars and Stripes Honor Flight on September 25, 2021.
Tom was a 1972 graduate of Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI with a major in Accounting/Economics and later enrolled at Northern Michigan, Marquette in their MBA program. He had an extended career in his chosen field working at various companies including J.W. Peters (Burlington, WI), Harnischfeger (Milwaukee, WI, Escanaba, MI), Muskegon Piston Ring (Manitowoc, WI), S.C. Johnson Commercial Markets, Color Arts (Racine), Shepherds Ministries (Union Grove), and Lehman USA (Sturtevant, WI).
Tom married the love of his life, Muriel, on November 17, 2007, at Calvary Memorial Church in Racine. They shared 17 blessed years together.
Tom was an active and respected member at Calvary Memorial Church serving in various capacities including AWANA, Sunday School, Softball League, Elder Board, Usher, Finance Committee, and most recently was very involved in the Men’s Ministries program. Tom’s love for sports was evident in his avid following of all the Wisconsin teams, and especially college basketball. He was an excellent golfer and enjoyed his ‘walks in the park.’
Tom was a helper. His gift was caring for others, showing kindness and love to all who came across his path. He was a gentle, quiet, and sincere man, with a faithful love for his Savior, deep convictions, and great spiritual insight and Biblical knowledge.
Tom is survived by his wife Muriel and siblings Richard (Jeanne), Dale (Cheryl); Lois (Jim) Kemper; Calvin (Patti), as well as sister-in-law Margaret (Dave) Kahler. Other relatives include Angel (Ian), Evelyn & Owen Ruff; Sheri (Keith) Grigsby, Jack & Kate Mozley, Abigail & Durham Grigsby; Jeremy (Laura), Harper, Marek, Davis Andersen; Jill (Justin) Kuntz; Andrew (Mikah), Silas, Karly & Asher Kemper; Bethany Kemper; Rachel (Jordan) Kemper; Ben (Amanda) & Cadence Andersen; Nick Andersen; Sue (John), Abbey, Sarah, Jolyn Hoijer; Steve Kahler; Sarah (Byron), Elise & Ethan Ballantyne; Scott (Stacey) Kahler. He was preceded in death by his parents and his dear brother Gary (1987).
The family would like to express our greatest appreciation to the EMS and Ascension Hospital Staff who did all they could to help him – we are forever grateful to you all.
A funeral service in memory of Tom’s life will be held at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11 with Pastor Ethan Davis officiating. Friends and family are welcome to the visitation at the church from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Interment with full military honors will be held at Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery in Union Grove, WI on Tuesday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. Friends and family are welcome to join us there to pay our final tribute to Tom.
Memorial gifts may be made to Voice of the Martyrs or Gideons International.
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Mark Eckblad
Tom and I both ttended Calvary Memorial Church in our youth, so I saw my classmate six days a week for some years. While Tom and I moved in different circles, we always had a comfortable, amiable relationsjip.
Two things about Tom stand out in my memory. Tom was truly good-natured, kind and tolerant in his dealings with others. He was also. despite his small stature, a remarkably good athlete. I played alongide Tom on various intramural and church teams, and one attribute stood out as much as his ability: Tom was a wonderful teammate. He was modest about his successes and unfailingly forgiving about teammate misues.
I am pleased to learn that Tom remained at Calvary throughout his life. I feel sure that he was not only a devoted servant of the church but an exceptional role model for young people. I am sincerely sorry that it all had to end for Tom, and I send my condolences to the many who lost him cso suddenly and are missing him today.
Carol Tyree (Haider)
Mark, Tom's sudden unexpected death hit us hard. He's our next door neighbor & was shoveling as my Hubby Bob was snow blowing. All of a sudden Tom disappeared in the garage & squads & ambulance came. His wife found him in garage. Heartbreaking 💔 We are trying to support Muriel w meals & help but hard to believe we won't be seeing him out in the yard & walkin in neighborhood. Soo sad but he had a lot of involvement at Calvery Church & they r supporting her as well! Hope this comment finds you feelin better! Prayers 🙏😢😍 Hugs Carol Tyree Haider
Mark Eckblad
Carol, I am sorry for you, Bob, and all of the friends and neighbors who lost Tom in such a sudden, heartbreaking fashion. The circimstances of his death remind me of the Bruce Springsteen song, "One Minute You're Here."
Carol Tyree (Haider)
AMEN 🙏 TO THAT, MARK!!!