Juel Edwin `Jay` Anderson

Juel Edwin “Jay” Anderson Jr., age 87, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2024 at SSM Hospice House in Baraboo with family by his side.

Jay was born July 24,1936 to Juel and Winifred (Williams) Anderson in Wausau. He lived in Antigo, Appleton, and Portage, where he graduated from High School in 1954. He enlisted in the Army that same year and served two years in the Army of Occupation in Munich, Germany, making him a Korean War Vet. Jay was honorably discharged and went to school at UW Madison for one semester. He chose work rather than school and worked at Ohio Chemical Company. He also drove cab downtown Madison for extra money. Sixty years later he still knew all the streets downtown, but few in the “new” areas. On June 29, 1957, he was united in marriage with Ruth Ann Huebner at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Portage. He sold Singer sewing machines for a short time before landing a job with Lorillard Tobacco Company. He was a salesman and division manager for them for forty years; the job taking him from Madison to Milwaukee, and Peoria, before returning to Milwaukee to finish his career, retiring in 1998. Jay and Ruth welcomed six children in the various cities.

After retirement, Jay and Ruth moved to Baraboo to be closer to family. For several years Jay and his brother-in-law, Phil Traxler, operated Hazben Construction, doing projects for family members, The Boys and Girls Club, and St. Joe’s School. Jay always said, “as bookkeeper, he had the easiest job in the company”. They never sent out any invoices and never accepted any payment. The best part of the day was always lunch, and they became regulars at Zap’s Tap and Monk’s in Baraboo. They may have been served an off menu dessert at Monk’s once…or maybe a whole bunch of times.

Jay was active in several clubs and organizations. He was a Boy Scout Leader for six years in Peoria, life member of the American Legion, VFW 2336, and 40 et 8. He was on the board of the VFW Memorial Fund, Commander of The American Legion for one year, and commander of the VFW for ten years. He was so very proud to be a veteran and cherished the friendships he made in various organizations. He showed this by being a member and coordinator of the Baraboo Honor Guard for many years. He organized and participated in the military rites portion of several hundred Baraboo funerals. Jay was also a member of the Sauk County Two Wheelers Motorcycle Club and St. Joseph’s Church.

Family was very important to Jay. While able, he was always present at children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and other important events. He really enjoyed ice fishing with his boys and relatives and had a great time showing up to fish with his grandsons to “show them how it was done”. He always said, “grandchildren can do no wrong”. With the majority of them being boys, this theory was tested on occasion. He catered to all of them when he could and was always there when they needed a ride or someone to take care of them. Jay was active in the Baraboo community and knew many people in the area. He had a way of striking up conversation with just about anyone. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Ruth; sister, Wendy Egger; sister-in-law, Jeanne Graves, brothers-in-law, Paul (Judy) Huebner and Phil (Joan) Traxler; children, Daniel (Vickie) Anderson, St Albans, WV, Pamela (Gary) Kelley, Portage, Eric (Dianne) Anderson, Peoria Heights, IL, James Anderson, Fond du Lac, Jeffrey Anderson, Reedsburg, Jason (Maureen) Anderson, Sheboygan Falls; grandchildren, Padrick Anderson, Heather (Jeremy) Feldner, Sam (Meghan) Kelley, Jay (Brooke) Kelley, Jacob Anderson, Philip Anderson, Amanda Anderson, Rebekah (Nick) Jensen, Caleb Anderson, and Connor Anderson; great grandchildren, Laurel Feldner, Lydia Feldner, Lincoln Feldner, Quinn Kelley, Kassie Anderson, Gunnar Anderson, Sophia Anderson, Jeremiah Anderson, expecting baby Kelley, expecting baby Jensen, and many nieces and nephews.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Paul and Jeanne Huebner and Keith Luther; brothers-in-law, Art Egger and Ken Graves, sister-in-law, Paula Traxler; granddaughter, Jillian Kelley and nephew Derek Huebner. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Baraboo, with military honors. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.  Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Clare Hospital and SSM Hospice House for their care in the last weeks.

Any memorials received by the family will be donated to St. Joseph School in Baraboo and the 40 et 8 Nursing Scholarship Fund in Baraboo.

Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.