Nels Edward Anderson, 56, of Westchester, IL, born in Davenport, IA and previously of Appleton, WI, passed away unexpectedly at his home May 26, 2001. While he physically has gone, his impression goes on. Nels was a worker, spending hours at his drafting table creating ingenious designs. He was a great friend, often knowing what we needed before we even did. If you saw him in blue and yellow clothing or spied the homemade goat hung on the house you knew Nels was a proud Swede. He was an artist. By sketching the wildlife he loved or painting an abstract watercolor he gave us a tranquil world. He was a card player, reading himself to sleep on the sofa with bridge magazines, becoming a great partner and opponent. Nels was part of our family-he took us dancing, made us Swedish pancakes, educated and laughed with us. If we were not with him he kept us in sight-from the photo of his father on the mantlepiece to the computer image of his granddaughter on his Mac. He loved us and we will never forget that. Thank you for the music, Nels. Nels accomplished many things, some of them being a BFA graduate of Drake University in 1966. He owned and operated joint businesses in Appleton, WI and Clarendon Hills, IL. He taught interior design in Kenosha, Atlanta, and Chicago. He was a member of Rotary Intl., A.I.D., A.S.I.D., and the W.S.A.G. He received many awards for design and art, including 1st Place awards through A.S.I.D./CADO and more recently the Corsi Design Competition. He was one of ten winners in "Design from Scandinavia" Magazines Invitational Design Contest. Nels was the son of the late Raymond O. and Grace E.; Nels is survived by the love of his life, Mary Ellen Luke of Westchester, IL; children Cristian, Erik, both of Appleton, WI and Amanda of Plover, WI; stepmother Lois Feiler of Bettendorf, IA; granddaughter Jada of Plover, WI; sister Judy Davison of Davenport, IA; stepsisters Carol Jo Brown of St. Meinrad, IN and Julie Leslie of Riverside, CA; and hundreds of family members, friends, artists and co-workers. A memorial fund will be established.

Chicago Tribune: June 3, 2001