Dale Anderson Jr.

Dale Perry Anderson Jr, 48, of West Salem, WI, passed away at his home surrounded by family on October 17, 2024 following his battle with ALK positive NSC lung cancer.

Dale was born in La Crosse, WI, to Susan Horstman and Dale Anderson Sr. On June 10, 1976. He graduated from West Salem High School in 1995 where he was a dedicated three season athlete, always striving to be the best in football, wrestling, and track. He went on to earn his associate's degree as a Diesel and Heavy Equipment Mechanic at Western Technical College. He started his career working on semi trucks at Ford Truck Center and then Bonsack Trucking. In 2010 he started working as a bus mechanic at the Sparta school bus terminal for Lamers Bus Lines, which transfered to Southwest Bus Service. He was admired by his coworkers for his strong work ethic and devotion to helping others. He developed many close friendships that stayed strong long after he was no longer able to work. He was known to be a jokester around the shop, always looking for a good laugh.

After college, Dale drove #53 in Thunderstock at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway alongside his father and cousin, where family and friends gathered every weekend to cheer them on. He gave up racing in 2001 when his son, Cody, was born and became his new pride and joy. Dale instilled in Cody his passion for racing. In 2005, he met the love of his life, Kathy "Kat" Helke, and they created a bond that most people can only dream of. They were married on April 26, 2008. They both loved going on new adventures together, whether it was going out mudding on the UTV, taking off on spontaneous road trips, kayaking, bowling, or most of all, just hanging out with friends and family. They were always making new memories.

Dale was an avid sports fan. He was a dedicated fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Wisconsin Badgers, but most of all he loved watching his nieces and nephews compete in various athletics. He loved spending time going hunting with family, trying hard every year to get "the big one". On Friday and Saturday mornings you would often see Dale and his mom looking for treasures to bring home while rummage saleing.

Dale will forever be remembered for his infectious smile, funny jokes, and his uncanny ability to clear out a room. Gatherings will never be the same without him and he will be remembered always by all those who knew and loved him.

Dale is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; his son Cody; his mother Susan (Gary) Horstman; his father/mother-in-law Arvin and Linda Helke; two sisters, Julie (Ryan) Tenner and Kim (Pete) Arentz; sister-in-law Jennifer (Philip) Uebelher; nephews Trevor and Isaac Arentz and Josiah Uebelher; and nieces Anya Tenner and Alexis and Rachel Uebelher. He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Anderson Sr; his grandparents Richard and Rose Strelow, and Perry and Valgean Anderson.