James "Jim" Anderson

ames "Jim" R. Anderson, age 92, passed away peacefully at home on August 7, 2026. A long-time Menomonie resident, Jim dedicated his life to serving his community and the surrounding area.

Jim was born on July 7, 1934, to Oscar and Margaret (Baardseth) Anderson. He graduated from Gale-Ettrick High School in 1952. He went on to earn a B.S. in Agricultural Education and Biology from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1956. Following his college graduation, Jim proudly served in the Army Signal Corps from 1956 to 1958. Later in his career, he completed the Graduate School of Banking program at UW-Madison (1973) and earned a Master’s in Vocational Education from UW-Stout (1982), with further credits toward an Educational Specialist degree.

Always a hard worker, Jim began his professional career as a Vocational Agricultural Instructor and FFA Advisor in Colfax, Wisconsin. After five years, he became a Dunn County Farm Agent, which led into roles as Vice President and Agricultural Loan Officer for Kraft/United State Bank and Independence State Bank in Elk Mound. Jim was deeply instrumental in making the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) Menomonie campus a thriving, viable institution. His years serving as Dean and Campus Administrator brought him some of his fondest career memories. He also spent time driving a bus for Menomonie Transportation.

A deeply civic-minded leader, Jim's impact on the region was immense. He served on the Menomonie Board of Education for 15 years and was a Director for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. He was a past president of the Rotary Club, the Menomonie Chamber of Commerce (naming him Citizen of the Year in 2002), and the Family Resource Center. His leadership extended to the Dunn County Republican Party, Phillips Plastics Board, Momentum Chippewa Valley, and Leadership Chippewa Valley. In his youth and adulthood, Jim was also a champion classic ski jumper, earning numerous trophies for his skill and daring. He was a devoted, long-time member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and sang faithfully in the Senior Choir.

Jim was a staunch Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers fan and spent many enjoyable hours watching and analyzing his favorite teams through thick and thin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Mary, cousin Doris (Dennis) Johnson, and cherished aunts, uncles, and extended relatives.

Jim is survived by his children: Craig (Sara) Anderson and grandsons Aiden, Brody, and Cooper; Dana (Rodney) Rogstad; and Jon (Julie) Anderson, grandsons Jacob (Elizabeth VanBronkhorst) Anderson, Josh Anderson, and great-grandson Bridger. He is further survived by cousins Byron (Lorna) Anderson, Gordon (MaryAnne) Anderson, and Vivian Fritz. He is also survived by maternal cousins, Rev. Duane Baardseth, Rev. Paul (Nancy) Baardseth, Dorothy Dale, and many other relatives and friends.

Jim loved his community, his church, and above all, his family. He will be deeply missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, Wisconsin with Pastor Sarah Miller officiating, with visitation starting one hour prior. An earlier visitation is also scheduled for Sunday, August 16, 2026 from 2:00-5:00 at Olson’s Funeral Home in Menomonie. Burial, at a later date, with military honors will follow at Hardies Creek Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com