Gayle Lynn (Hanson) Anderson

Age 66, of Waupaca, Wisconsin, went home to be with her Lord on Mother’s Day, May 10, 2020, at Bethany Home.  She was born on October 18, 1953, in Waco, Texas, to the late Lucille (Trieglaff) Hanson and Gerald Hanson, both of Wisconsin.  She is survived by her daughter, Carrie (Dan) Brunner and granddaughter, Emma, of Waupaca, and had been married to Jerry Anderson, also of Waupaca.  She is also survived by sisters Bonnie Cassidy of Weslaco, TX, and Grace (Kevin) Buck of Waupaca, WI, and brother Jerry “Tex” (Suzan) Hanson of Mims, FL.  Gayle had nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to count.

Having been born into a military family, Gayle moved to various cities throughout the United States and France.  She graduated from Waupaca High School in 1972, where she enjoyed home-economics and choir with “Mr. K”.  Having given her heart to the Lord at a young age, Gayle sought to increase her Bible knowledge at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College.  Following her time at college, she returned to Waupaca where she worked as a Physical Therapist’s Assistant and then as Activities Director at the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home, retiring in 2003.

 Gayle’s personality was one that naturally attracted everyone she met to her.  Her laugh, beautiful smile and fun-loving personality were contagious.  However, Gayle was also known for being quite stubborn and opinionated, which left no one in doubt of where she stood on any subject!  Each of these attributes made Gayle, Gayle and she will be greatly missed by both family and friends. 

Since childhood, Gayle has had an artistic flair, loving to draw and paint amazing pictures.  Sewing, handcrafts and quilting were also a huge part of her life.  In recent years, she began teaching Emma her prized quilting abilities.  Her great love of horses and dogs was evident as she owned and raised many of each throughout her lifetime.  Her example and passion for animals has been lovingly passed to her daughter and granddaughter, who carry on this tradition at their family farm in Waupaca.  Another hobby of Gayle’s was buying and selling antiques and unique items of all kinds.  She enjoyed the thrill of the hunt and the art of the sale. 

Everyone who knew Gayle was aware of her love of music and her beautiful singing voice.  She sang solos, duets, trios and in church choirs, priding herself in being able to sing in French and Swedish, as well.  Until recent years, singing with her siblings and other family members was a favorite pastime. 

In recent years, Gayle took several trips with her sister Bonnie.  These adventures focused on their combined love of shopping for fabric and spending time quilting. These trips included time spent doing nothing but quilting for days on end.  The trip was not complete until the vehicle was jam packed full of their treasures.  Gayle’s sister Grace fondly remembers their instantaneous shopping trips that always included lunch out at a favorite restaurant.

The last years of Gayle’s life were filled with much pain due to various diseases, yet she struggled to remain active with family and friends.  Her family is comforted in knowing that she is no longer in pain and at peace with the Lord and many loved ones who have gone before.  Gayle was immensely loved, will be greatly missed, and has left an empty place in all our hearts and lives. 

There will be a Memorial Service on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 1500 Roman Road, Waupaca.  The visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.  We will be practicing social distancing.  

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