Arthur E. 'Art' Andersen

Art was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 61 years, Lorene; father and mother, Harry P. and Elizabeth Andersen; mother & father-in-laws Lydia and Glen Harbison; father-in-law, Paul Kaehler; brother & sister-in-law, Don Fulton and Karen Bartels; sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Orville Schroeder; brother-in-law, Les Engquist. Survived by brother and sister-in-law, Harry N. and Jean Andersen; sons Terry (Judy) Andersen, Arthur S. “Scott” (Deb) Andersen, all of Millard, Brian (Judy) Andersen of Denver, and Steve (Donna) Andersen of Millard; daughters Brenda (Jimmie) Sheard, of Millard, and Dr. Rhonda (Col. Ignatius “Buck”) Liberto, of Norfolk, VA; fourteen grandchildren, Stephanie, Jourdon, Kyle (Ashley), Lindsey (Bryan), Justin (Milene), Meagan, Johnny (Tiffany), Melitta (Matt), Eric, Genavieve, Tristin (Ryan), Crystal (Ryan), Coralie and Ignatius; twelve great-grandchildren, Rilee, Holden, Mason, Hudson, Carson, Honor, Kieran, Maximus, Marlee, Landon, Addelyn, Elijah; sister-in-laws Irene (Keith) Engquist and Betty (Frederick) Krause; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. Art was a life-long resident of Millard, and began working part-time for his father, Harry P. Andersen, at Millard Electric Co. doing electrical work in 1949 at the age of 14. After graduating from Millard High School in 1953, Art went full-time working as an electrician. On January 1, 1964, when Harry P. Andersen retired from the electrical business to become the Mayor of Millard, Art and his brother, Harry Jr., took over Millard Electric Co. Within a couple of years, Art founded Andersen Electric Company, Inc. and ran it successfully until his retirement on January 1, 1995. Art wired many homes and businesses in Millard and the Greater Omaha areas. Art was a pillar in Millard and helped the community grow in many ways. He served on the Millard Volunteer Fire Department in the 1950’s and 1960’s and helped start the Volunteer Rescue Unit in the late 1950’s. Art helped establish the Millard airport in 1967 and served on the original Millard Airport Authority Board. He was a charter member of the Oak Hills Country Club. Art was very active in the Millard Athletic Association in the mid 1960’s, the Millard Days Committee in the 1970’s, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Millard and the Millard Lions Club; serving as President in the early 1960’s. Art served on the City of Omaha Electrical Board for fifteen years from 1970-1990, serving as Chairman multiple times; and a member of the Nebraska Iowa Electrical Council (NIEC). He was inducted into the Millard Education Foundation Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Millard Business Association Hall of Fame in 2009. Art developed the Walnut Grove housing subdivision across from Millard South High School in the early 1970’s, which included the condo area where they lived their retirement years. A unique feature in the development is putting green spaces with sidewalks behind the homes to make them safer for the families out walking and included playgrounds scattered throughout the green areas for the kids to play. Art married Lorene Kaehler from Papillion on January 23, 1955. Art enjoyed bowling (NOT), golfing, racehorses, and his coffee group, “Saving the World” and other issues plaguing Millard, Omaha, Nebraska, & the world. He was an avid golfer, card player and baseball fan, loved his wife, kids, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Art enjoyed traveling with Lorene, times spent at their cabin at Woodcliff, wintering in South Padre Island, TX, and visiting casinos across the country. Art fought a hard 15 month battle with lung cancer, keeping a good attitude and sense of humor to the end. VISITATION Friday, after 1:00pm, with family receiving friends from 5-8:00pm and a prayer service at 7:45pm, All at Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel) CELEBRATION of Art’s life will be held Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Millard (13271 Millard Ave.) Interment: Voss-Mohr Cemetery. Memorials should be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel) 6505 S. 144 St. Omaha, NE 68137 402-895-3400 VISITATION Friday, after 1:00pm, with family receiving friends from 5-8:00pm and a prayer service at 7:45pm, All at Braman Mortuary (Southwest Chapel) CELEBRATION of Art’s life will be held Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 10:30am at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Millard (13271 Millard Ave.) Interment: Voss-Mohr Cemetery. Memorials should be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.