Michael “Mike” James Anderson

Anderson, Michael “Mike” James

Born into Eternal Life on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at age 64 after complications from a stroke. Cherished father of Francesca “Frankie”, Marcela Pfenning (Eric and grandson Larsen), Nicholas (Micaela and grandson Theo), and Jonathan. Ex-husband of the mother of his four children Stephanie Barbano (née Brucker). Brother of Peter Anderson (Jan Omacht), and uncle of James, William, and Charles Anderson. Preceded in death by his mother Mildred and father James Anderson.

Born November 28, 1961, in Milwaukee, Mike grew up in Wauwatosa on the “infamous 85th street” and attended Wauwatosa East High School. He enjoyed sports and played on the football and tennis teams. He also played trombone in the Wauwatosa East marching band and was proud to have played in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 1977. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for three years from 1980-1983, then transferred to and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1984. It was at the Fruit Ranch that he met Stephanie; they then married in June of 1984 for 13 years.

In his free time, Mike enjoyed rollerblading, scuba diving, biking, and watching NASCAR. He was a successful financial professional, working as Managing VP for Morgan Stanley from 1986-2008, and holding several other management positions over the final years of his career at institutions such as M&I Bank, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, The Private Bank, and First Federal Bank. Prior to retirement, Mike had gotten a job in the indoor lumber yard at The Home Depot because of his love of construction. Mike took satisfaction in his time working there and was recognized formally with the Homer Award and VP Badge as an exceptional and knowledgeable employee.

Mike’s greatest interest, pride, and joy were his four children. He lived for weekends and sprinkled in weeknights with his kids playing board games and Huckle Buckle Beanstalk, video games from Mario Kart to Guitar Hero to Renegade, throwing the football, and helping in any way he could around the home. A handyman like his father, he finished the basement of the house on 119^th St., complete with a bedroom to his daughter’s exact specifications with a walk-in closet and recessed 50-gallon saltwater fish tank with a built-in sitting area for viewing.

Music was deeply entrenched in Mike’s day-to-day life. He played the bass guitar and heavily influenced his children’s tastes and love of bands like TOOL, Soundgarden, Nirvana, and Chevelle. He bought his home in Verona in 2017, and it was there that he discovered a love of bird watching and took great pride in his lawn, garden, feeders, and camera setup. Mike joins Havoc and Stiffler, his two tabby cats who brought him great joy, at the Rainbow Bridge. Every year, Mike looked forward to hosting holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving, table-setting, decorating and carrying on the traditions and beliefs of his mother that family meals were the most important and memorable times. He also cooked a mean steak.

Mike leaves this world as a newly minted Grandpa. He closely attended to the simultaneous pregnancies of his daughter and daughter-in-law, anticipating the moment his title would be upgraded. He bought Theo and Larsen their first stuffed animals, as he had carried his own childhood Velveteen Rabbit through life. In his own words, his 2026 New Year’s Resolution was to be “an awesome Grandpa,” and he succeeded in that.

His children will deeply miss him, his humor, support, advice, and most of all his everlasting love.

Visitation at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 12130 W Center Street, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53222, on Saturday, August 29, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Funeral Mass to follow at 1:00 PM. The family invites all who knew him or his children to attend.

Love,

Winkie, Monkey Potato Head, Nicky Bopper, and Johnny Michael

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