Obituary for Edward Demmler Anderson, 86
Winter Haven, FL
July 24th, 1938 – August 16th, 2024
Ed passed away at home in Winter Haven, FL on August 16, 2024 with his lovely bride Janet at his side. Jan and Ed married March 18, 1961 in Evansville, IN and have been inseparable since. Their time together was always eventful as everyone who had dinner with them could attest. They were admired by all for their enduring love for one another. To the end, Ed honored and stayed committed to the vows he took of caring for Jan in sickness and in health. He is survived by his wife Janet Bredenkamp Anderson, children Andrea Van Nest (Matt) and Edward Demmler Jr, aka Andy (Teri), granddaughters Ella and Zoe, brothers Hugh aka his twin/wombmate (Britta) and Tom (Bege), niece Kay Lynn, nephews Bo, Larry, David, Bill and Scott. He is also survived by scores of friends around the country – you know who you are.
From a very early age, Ed fought for and stood up for what he thought was right. While others did not always see it his way, he always held firm in his convictions. Before moving to Florida, Ed called various places around the country home, but none more special than the square-log home that he and Jan built themselves in Neshkoro, WI with the help of family and friends. He could sell anything, build anything, fix anything and tried to spray paint everything. He loved camping, classic cars, a great steak, and a good snipe hunt, but mostly enjoyed shooting the breeze with his family and old friends while having a good laugh. Always up for an adventure, Ed graduated Magnus Cum Laude in 1974 from the Hawaiiana Hotel’s Hula Class where he was found to be high spirited, good natured and worthy of the Happy Kamaaina. In 2021, he picked up a paint brush for the very first time and found his new passion in art, proudly completing several paintings.
A strong work ethic was at his core, with his proudest efforts spent building a successful sales office in Milwaukee or just cutting and stacking wood. But what made him tick most was service to others: from his years in the Indiana National Guard to hundreds of Shriner parades in the scarab and antique car units to starting the Wautoma Father’s Day Car Show, and most recently as a Valet at the local hospital and Chaplain at the Winter Haven Masonic Lodge. He believed in stepping up and giving back, and inspired countless others to do the same.
A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
To know Ed was to love him and if you did not meet him, you really missed out.
