Wayne Andersen, 75

Wayne Andersen, age 75, of Lansing, MI, died Wednesday, September 3, 2025. He passed peacefully at home shortly after a terminal cancer diagnosis. Wayne Milton Andersen was born March 9, 1950 in Almont, MI. He is the son of the late Norman and the late Elaine (Walton) Anderson. Wayne grew up and lived most of his life in Attica and Imlay City, MI. He is a graduate of Imlay City High School, Class of 1968. Wayne married Kathleen Heaton of Capac on April 10, 1976 in Imlay City, Michigan.

After graduation Wayne worked at Pontiac Motors as a maintenance welder. He then owned J & R Standard Oil in Imlay City. Later, he was employed as the head bus mechanic by Imlay City Community Schools for 25 years. He enjoyed his retirement years both in Florida and in Michigan with his grandchildren.

Wayne was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing his entire life. He was a member of the V8 Hunt Club in Atlanta, MI for over 40 years. Wayne and Kathy traveled extensively in the U.S. and internationally. Some of his favorite trips included an Alaskan cruise, visits out west, and a trip to Germany. In Michigan, he was active in a camper club. He was always the first to lend a helping hand with repairs, embodying the values of community and support. Wayne loved going up to the family cabin in Roscommon to enjoy relaxing and watching the canoers on the AuSable River. Over the years, Wayne did every activity from skydiving to snowmobiling, from cruising on pontoons to riding motorcycles, and he had a collection of stories to go with every adventure. He instilled his love of nature, sense of adventure, and an appreciation for a good game of cards in his surviving family members.

Wayne is survived by: his wife, Kathleen Andersen of Lansing, MI; daughters, Patricia ‘Patty’ Roberts of Grand Ledge, MI and Julie Andersen (Ryan Smith) of Lansing, MI; his sisters, Janice (Chris) Hart of Attica, MI, Jeanie (Larry) Kaeding of Burlington, VT and Alice (Dave) Stevens of Reed City, MI, and his brother, Dale (Junko) Anderson of Berlin Township, MI. He is also survived by: his grandchildren, Kate, Nick, Maggie, Abby, Addy and Ansel.

An open house celebration of Wayne’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall at 200 N. Cedar St. in Imlay City from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday, September 27. Please join the family for a meal and to share your stories and memories of Wayne.

Donations will be directed to The AuSable River Property Owners Alliance for watershed protection, and McLaren Hospice and Homecare Foundation.

Please be sure to sign our online register at www.muirbrothersfh.com to share condolences and memories with the Andersen family.