
Father Joseph G. Anderson, 77, passed away on Christmas Eve surrounded by his devoted family. Father Joe was born in Racine on January 20, 1936, the son of the late David and Colette (nee: Statz) Anderson.
Father Anderson received his preparation for the priesthood at St. Francis Seminary from 1956 until 1963. He was ordained on May 5, 1963, by the Most Reverend William E. Cousins. He began his priestly ministry on July 1, 1963, as an assistant at Immaculate Conception Parish, Sheboygan. On June 27, 1968, he transferred to St. Therese Parish in Kenosha. Father Joe enjoyed teaching at St. Joseph and at St. John Cathedral High School from 1968 until 1973. On November 1, 1973, he was appointed Principal of St. Joseph High School, Kenosha. On June 14, 1977, he was appointed Principal of St. Catherine High School, Racine. In 1979, he was appointed Associate Pastor and later Pastor, of St. Alphonsus Parish, Greendale. In 1989, Father was appointed associate pastor, and later pastor, of St. John Parish, South Milwaukee. In 1989, he was named Associate Pastor of Holy Apostles Parish in New Berlin. He retired from active ministry in 2004.
Surviving are his sister, Dolores (Thomas) Clazmer, of Racine; nieces and nephew, Diane (Peter) Putra, Joe Clazmer, Jacque (John) Dresen, Suzi (Bill) Coe, and Judi (Jeff) Szczerba; great nieces and nephews, Stephanie Dresen, Jared Coe, Brian Coe, and Grace Szczerba. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, David Anderson, sister, Judith Anderson, grandparents, Margaret and Conrad Statz, Adam and Margaret Anderson, great niece, Rebecca Szczerba, aunts, and uncles.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30th, in Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 16000 W. National Ave., New Berlin. Relatives and friends can meet with the family, in the church, on Monday from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. Private burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, in Racine.
Mary Jane Henkes Horlitz says
My condolences, Dolores, on the loss of your brother. I remember him well from our days at St. Edward’s and St. Catherine’s. We’ll keep you both in our prayers.