Vena Alma Andersen

Racine – Vena Alma Andersen, 95, passed away at her daughter's home with family by her side, on April 17, 2013. Vena was born in Vanlue, Ohio to the late Marion and Grace (nee: Lemott) Wise on July 24, 1917. In 1922, with her family, she moved to Zion, Illinois. There she was educated in the Zion Schools and graduated from Waukegan High School in 1936. After high school, she attended the Lake College of Commerce in Waukegan. Vena was employed at Johns Manville Company in Waukegan, Illinois until she was united in marriage to William H. Andersen on August 16, 1946 in Zion, Illinois. They lived in La Crosse, WI, Bradley, IL and Burlington, WI before moving to Racine in 1963. Vena was a devoted Christian. She attended Calvary Memorial Church where she was active in the nursery and the Lend-a-Hand group. Vena volunteered for Lincoln Village Convalescent Center and Toys-for-Tots. She also was an election judge. Vena was a member of the Intergenerational Fair in which she would teach youth about her crafts and talents. She was an avid reader and enjoyed cooking, watching cooking shows and collecting recipes. But most of all she loved caring for her family, especially lovingly knitting mittens for everyone. Vena will be dearly missed by four children, June (Robert) Schaeffer of Green Bay, Jim (Mavis) Andersen of Stevens Point, Judy (Mark) Ott of Rockford, Iowa and Jackie (Dan) Voisin of Racine; eight grandchildren, Beth (Tim) Brokish, Eric (Annie) Andersen, Bill (Taryn) Voisin, Ross (Heather) Ott, Carl (Traci) Ott, Sally Voisin, Anna Ott and Abby Schaeffer; four great grandchildren, Kimberly, Isaac and Megan Brokish and Quinn Voisin; two brothers, Donald (Margaret) Wise and Kenneth (Beverly) Wise; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Vena was preceded in death by her husband, William; grandson, Christopher Lee Voisin; and sister and brother-in-law, Loma (Walter) Larsen. Funeral services in honor of Vena will be held at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Avenue, on Monday, April 22, 2013 at 11:00 am with Pastor Nathan James officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 10:00 am until the 11:00 am service time. Please join the family committal services at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at 9:00 am. Memorials may be directed to Calvary Memorial Church. "Thank you to the staff of Wheaton Franciscan Home Hospice for their kind and compassionate care and support of Vena and her family during her long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Vena Alma Andersen

July 24, 1917 - April 17, 2013