Robert Jo “Cotton” Anderson, age 63, of Baldwin, Wisconsin, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on April 15, 2012 at the United Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Robert was born on July 4, 1948 to Robert and Joyce (Gunvalson) Anderson in Baldwin, Wisconsin. During his childhood, he would often visit his uncles, Pat and Punk, on their farm. While there, he would always sing “Here comes Peter Cottontail”. That, along with his fluffy white hair gave way to the nickname, “Cotton”, which is how all his friends and family know him. Cotton grew up in Woodville and later moved with his parents to Baldwin where he attended school through the Baldwin-Woodville School District. In 1967, Cotton joined the Army Reserves. He completed basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO and served with the 652nd Engineering Corps until 1972 when he was honorably discharged. While in the reserves, Cotton also worked for his father’s excavating company in Baldwin as a heavy equipment operator. It was on July 20, 1968 that Cotton was united in marriage to Virginia Stoffel. The two were married at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hammond, WI. This marriage would be blessed with three children, Joseph, Wendy, and Angela. In 1989, Anderson Excavating became incorporated and Cotton purchased shares of stock to become part owner. When his father died in 1997, he became owner of the company. The excavating business was his passion and he was proud to have been a part of many businesses and buildings that were constructed in Baldwin and the surrounding areas. In 2006, he sold the business to his son, and retired, dedicating his life to relaxing and spending time with family at the lake in Amery and wintering in Arizona.

While Cotton had focused much of his life to the family business, he had other hobbies as well. He was a part owner of a stock car that raced at the Cedar Lake Speedway. Many hours were spent tweaking and getting the car ready to race. He took pride in cruising on his many different motorcycles, snowmobiles and his 1964 Chevy Impala. He liked to relax on the porch at the lake or in Arizona with a cold one in his hand. On Sunday afternoons during football season, you could always find him at Bol’s Lanes, cheering on the Packers. His favorite times though, were those spent with his grandkids, whether they were going for rides on his golf cart, sharing stories about his youth experiences, or just hanging out.

Cotton is survived by his; wife of 43 years, Virginia; son, Joe (Robin) of Baldwin and daughters, Wendy (Brian) Olsem of Emerald, WI and Angela (Allen) Hardina of Turtle Lake, WI; grandchildren, Carlie, Jacob and Aubrie Anderson of Baldwin, Stephanie and Julia Olsem of Emerald, WI and Johnathan Mariana and Joseph and Jenna Hardina of Turtle Lake, WI and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral mass for Cotton will be held at 1030am on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hammond, Wisconsin. Father Jerry Harris will be officiating. Burial will be held privately at a later date. A visitation will be held for 1 hour prior to services as well as from 5-8pm on Wednesday, April 18 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory.