Gregory Alan Anderson

Verona- Gregory Anderson age 53 passed peacefully with his loving family at his side on April 10, 2014 after a courageous battle with melanoma cancer that began in August of 2012. Always optimistic and forever open to a positive outcome he took every challenge of this disease and found a way to look to the future with hope and eternal enthusiasm. When given an empty glass, he would turn right around and fill it up with positive energy. Greg was born October 8, 1960 in Billings, Montana to Bruce and Vonnie Anderson. Their family moved from Billings to St. Paul, MN then Palatine, IL before settling in West Fargo, ND where he met and married his high school sweetheart in 1983. Greg deeply loved his family. He always supported each and every journey they decided to take. Encouraging his children to live their dreams, he was so proud of their choices. The love of this little family grew ever deeper in this time of trial. Never leaving his side during all treatments, surgeries and care was his high school sweetheart and wife of 30 years, Patsy (Carroll) Anderson. They were a part of each other's lives for over 40 years. The love they shared is deep and will forever be hel...[more]

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ently in Patsy's heart until they meet again. During his illness Greg would touch Patsy's face and say to her that he loved her so very much. Together they made their home with three children in Fargo, ND before moving to Wisconsin. Immediately after graduating from Moorhead State University Greg was Marketing Representative, Business Forms Division at Burroughs Corporation. Around 1986 Burroughs joined with Sperry Univac and was renamed Unisys at this time Greg became Account Representative for their Health Care Services Division until 1989. It was then that he began living the dream. With a young family to provide for Greg took great pride in his work as Account Manager for Alcon Surgical. From the Alcon's home office and coworkers to all the surgical teams and patients, Greg worked diligently helping so many. He was adamant about returning messages immediately and found answers to all questions that arose. Always finding a way to make the impossible possible, and in the process he helped so many people, making so many friends and earning their respect along the way. He leaves behind a legacy of a strong work ethic. He was a member of the Alcon Masters Club numerous times and wore his Masters Club Ring proudly. Greg and Patsy were honored to attend Master Club trips and so enjoyed celebrating with their Alcon friends at the ceremonies. His office is filled with trophies and plaques. His sense of humor and badge of honor is shown in the radiation mask that hangs proudly on his office wall. When treatment was completed he asked if he could bring it home and said "I am going to hang this in my office as a trophy". He truly wanted to win this battle with cancer and would always say when presented with another challenge, "This is me we're talking about¬--I can do this!" In his final doctor visit Dr. McFarland told him his attitude helped Greg beat the odds, giving him years instead of the expected months. Greg will always be remembered as Mr. Positive. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Vonnie (Bowles) Anderson and his in-laws, Fritz and Clara Carroll. He is survived by his wife Patsy and their three children, Nick Anderson (Fiancé, Tanuja Devaraj), Philadelphia, PA, Hayley Anderson, and Jeff Anderson both at home. Two sisters he held close in his heart, Terry Rausch, Alexandria, IN and Mary Bommersbach (Tim) West Fargo, ND; Very special sister in law he loved as a true sister, Eileen Grossman, Casselton, ND; brother in law, Mark Paulson, Fargo, ND; nieces and nephews Heather (Kendall) Struxness, Kenny (Roxy) Grossman, Jr., Amber Paulson, Brady Paulson, Amy Paulson, Andy Lippincott, Casey Stapleton. Cousin, RD Kirkness, Red Lodge, MT. His dear Uncle Don Anderson and his wife Aunt Diana Page. Uncle Don was filled with wisdom and comforting words throughout this journey. Greg quoted Uncle Don often with one favorite quote: "Know your mission, everything else will work out." We wish to thank extended family and all the friends for providing loving support, the wonderful staff at UW Carbone Cancer Center who so took such great care of Greg during this journey, also a special thank you to the kind and caring staff at Agrace HospiceCare. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a time of sharing memories and stories beginning at 6 p.m. and at church on Wednesday from 1:00 pm. until time of the mass.