Joyle Harlan Arden Anderson, age 100, of Amery, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Willow Ridge Healthcare in Amery.

Joyle was born on February 13, 1926, in Deronda, Wisconsin, to Jens and Mamie (Hanson) Anderson. He was the oldest of two sons, followed by his brother, Jerry M. Anderson. He attended the Deronda school and graduated from Amery High School in 1944.

A true farm kid, Joyle often missed a few weeks of school each spring to help with planting. As a young boy, he helped his father deliver the mail by horse and wagon and later by Model T snowmobile during the winter months. Those early experiences instilled in him the values of hard work, responsibility, and service that would guide him throughout his life.

On June 16, 1953, Joyle married Joyce Johnson in Dresser, Wisconsin. They moved to the family farm in Deronda, where they raised crops, chickens, sheep, and cattle. They had three children and have been life-long residents of Polk County, moving from the family farm to their current residence on Bear Trap Lake in 1973.

Joyle often joked that he "didn't get too far in life," having lived only about a mile from where he was born.

Throughout his years of farming, Joyle also built a distinguished career with the United States Postal Service. He served as a rural route substitute mail carrier from 1947 to 1957, became one of Amery's first city mail carriers from 1966 to 1967, served as Acting Postmaster in 1966, and was appointed Amery Postmaster in 1967, a position he proudly held until his retirement in 1986. 

In the late 1950s, Joyle partnered with his father-in-law, Einar Johnson, to establish Johnson-Anderson Construction. Einar’s interest in the business was later purchased by Harold Johnson. Following this partnership, Joyle ran the company on his own until he partnered with his son, Brad, as Anderson Construction and Supply and together they continued the family tradition of quality craftsmanship, serving generations of families throughout the Amery area.

Whether excavating, grading, designing homes, building, developing property, or selling real estate, Joyle embraced every aspect of the business. At age 100, he reflected with pride, "With the construction company, we did everything. We found people a place to live, sold it as a broker, drew the house plans, built it, did everything in the house—even the painting and cabinets."

Always looking for a better way to do things, Joyle was an early adopter of CAD (computer-assisted design) and loved creating plans to improve projects. He possessed an extraordinary ability to visualize land contours and site grading and especially enjoyed operating heavy equipment. Many homes, businesses, churches, and community projects throughout the Amery and Deronda communities stand today as lasting reminders of his craftsmanship and vision.

Joyle believed that strong communities are built through service. A third-generation, lifelong member of Deronda Lutheran Church, he served faithfully on the church council for many years and played an instrumental role in designing and building the present church.

Joyle and Jerry also generously donated the land on which the current church stands.  When asked what he was most proud of Joyle stated, “The church.  Donating the land, drawing the plans, and being a part of building it.  Now we have a beautiful church.  I liked the family working together to help with it, and with designing and building the bell tower.”  

He was an active member of the Amery Community Club, Amery Lions Club, and Friends of the Stower Seven Lakes Trail. Joyle served as a Wapogasset/Bear Trap Lake Improvement Association trustee many years and was the recipient of the first Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2001 and later honored for his Century Family Homestead. As trustee, delivering Lake Scenes with his grandchildren made for many joyful Saturday outings.

Whether helping improve parks and trails, supporting local businesses, mentoring others as a 4-H leader, or quietly lending a hand to neighbors, Joyle believed investing in his community was one of life's greatest responsibilities.

When asked at age 100 what his secret to longevity was, Joyle smiled and said, "Never stop! There's always something to do. Work, work, work! And I enjoyed it. You might as well enjoy it if you have to do it anyway." Those words perfectly reflected the way he lived every day.

Although many of Joyle's hobbies looked a lot like work, he found joy in skiing during his younger years at Trollhaugen, serving on the ski patrol and mounting bindings in the ski shop. Later, he enjoyed snowmobiling, golfing, and visiting with friends, neighbors, and fellow community members at local restaurants, community events, and gatherings. He loved caring for the land his family had farmed for generations and took particular pride in his John Deere 70 and his collection of Massey Ferguson tractors.

Joyle also spent countless hours snow plowing on his skid steer and tractor and viewed mowing his two acre lawn, right to the age of 100, as a good day outside. Above all, he loved working alongside family, solving problems, creating something lasting, and watching his children and grandchildren grow and succeed.

Joyle will be remembered for his remarkable work ethic, quiet humility, quick mind, and willingness to help anyone in need. If something could be repaired, improved, or built better, Joyle was eager to find a solution. He believed in honest work, serving others, supporting local businesses, and leaving every place better than he found it. His legacy lives on not only through his beloved family, but also through the homes, churches, businesses, trails, and countless community improvements that continue to benefit generations throughout the Amery and Deronda communities.

Joyle was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce; his parents, Jens and Mamie Anderson; and his brother, Jerry M. Anderson.

He is survived by his children, Brad (Aleta) Anderson, Tracy (Jeff Claussen) Anderson, and Teri (Jay) Anderson-Hoyer; his six grandchildren, Kelsey (Marcus Smith) Anderson, Madeline (Caleb Rasmusson) Anderson, Christian Hoyer, Heather Claussen, Alliana (Sonny) Anderson, and Asa Hoyer; along with many other cherished family members, friends, and neighbors.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Williamson-White Funeral Home in Amery. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Deronda Lutheran Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Deronda Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Deronda Lutheran Church designated in memory of Joyle Anderson.

Last Update: Jul 21, 2026 9:48 am CDT