Kenneth ‘Ken’ W. Andersen Sr., age 83, of Melbourne, FL, formerly from Merrill, WI, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Northern Alabama Medical Center in Florence, AL. Ken was born on August 27, 1939 to the late Donald Sr. and Margaret (Pullen) Andersen in Antioch, IL. After graduating from Antioch High School in IL, Ken volunteered for the United States Army from 1961-1963 and the Reserves until 1967. He met Faye Johnson and the two were united in marriage on November 3, 1965. Sadly, she passed away on January 15, 2014. Ken worked as a lineman for Commonwealth Edison for 35 years. After his retirement, Ken enjoyed being a retired “snowbird”, spending summers in Merrill, WI and winters in Melbourne, FL, to be near each of his and Faye’s families. He also enjoyed volunteering at Viera Hospital in Melbourne, FL for over 10 years, where he would drive the golf cart and transport people to and from the hospital. He loved that job, meeting people and getting fresh air. Ken enjoyed being outside gardening, whether it was his vegetable or flower gardens, or manicuring and mowing his lawn. He would also feed and watch the birds in his yard, go on bike rides, play and go for walks with his beloved family dogs, especially his dear yellow lab, “Sweet Pea” or take a swim when the weather was nice. Ken would often go raspberry and strawberry picking and he enjoyed his time with his various coffee clutch groups and friend groups. Ken was an avid Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Brewers fan. Ken is remembered as a generous and humble man; he will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ken is survived by children: Jeff (Marci) Andersen, Ken Andersen Jr.(Stacey) Andersen and Heidi (John) Draper, sisters: Ann Atkins, Jane (Terry) Cooper, Mary Paladino, brother: Donnie (Jean) Andersen Jr., grandchildren: Shawn Draper, Jacob (Megan) Andersen, Noah Andersen and Rachel Andersen, sisters-in-law: Sharon (Ron) Pankow and Rita (Jerry) Wendt, both of Merrill, brother-in-law: Daniel (Lori) Johnson of Irma, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved parents: Margaret & Donald Andersen Sr., beloved wife: Faye (Johnson) Andersen, beloved grandson: Eric Andersen and brother-in-law: Lauren “Ole” Johnson.
The funeral service for Ken will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023, at 11am at Waid Funeral Home. Rev. David Szeto will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 14, 2023, from 9am until the time of the service, also at the funeral home. Military honors to be conducted at the funeral home, following the service. A time of fellowship and visiting will follow the military honors and take place in the Lincoln
Room at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Chat Cemetery in the town of Birch. For those unable to attend the funeral service in person, it will be live streamed, beginning at 11am, and will later be posted as a recording for future viewing. It can be found under his obituary on the funeral home website. In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations in Ken’s name be directed to the Lincoln County Humane Society. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.