Wallace “Spike” H. Anderson, age 86, of Escanaba, passed away Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Murray’s Country View Adult Foster Care Home in Escanaba. He was born on January 29, 1931 in Escanaba, the youngest child of Alec and Hannah (Olson) Anderson. He grew up in Escanaba and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1950.

Following high school, Wallace worked for Aronson Construction as a concrete finisher. Eventually, he was employed by Harnischfeger Corporation until his retirement in 1984. He married the former Frances Barber on July 14, 1956 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba. Together they shared 61 years of marriage and she preceded him in death on April 27, 2014.

Wallace’s early goals found him building a camp in Stonington, followed by their family home in Danforth, where they spent 55 years. Gardening was his gift. Wallace took great pride in his gardens that he painstakingly kept pristine and ready for display at all times. Sharing the fruits of his gift with family and friends also gave him great pride, including his cherished marigolds, which he always had a large abundance of. Spending time at camp, whether it was hunting deer in November, or the pursuit of always improving camp, Stonington was where his heart was. Wallace’s hobbies included traveling the states of Michigan and Wisconsin to enjoy Draft Horse pulling and sharing his love of horses with his grandkids. Wallace also was very well known to have an affinity for anything made by Ford, and was a commonplace to tell family they could park anything in his driveways as long as it was a Ford.

Wallace “Spike” H. Anderson is survived by son, John (Cris) Anderson of Rapid River; grandchildren, Patrick “Olee” (Jackie) Anderson of Oshkosh, WI, and Carrie “Care Bear” (Andy) Poquette of Neenah, WI; great-grandchildren, Anisa, Riley, Ella, and Cailen; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Wallace was preceded in death by Carl Anderson, Elsie Anderson, Ruth Nelson, Mildred Leisner, and Donald Anderson.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday, May 18, 2017 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Wallace will be held at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba with Rev. Erik Heskin officiating. A luncheon will be served afterward in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery. 

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