Mary Jane Anderson, 91, lived a long and vibrant life, surrounded by a large family and many friends. She was born on August 15, 1923 in Madison, WI to Thomas and Julia (Therkelsen) Malone, one of 11 children who grew up in a big stone house on the banks of the Wisconsin River in Prairie du Sac. Athletic and smart, Mary Jane liked school and enjoyed playing sports, especially tennis and basketball. After graduating in 1941, she attended technical college in Madison, and then worked at the Sauk County Courthouse and later the Badger Army Ammunition Plant. She loved Garland "Bud" Anderson, and they married on August 15, 1946. Together, they raised two sons, Richard "Snuffy" and Timothy, surrounded by extended family in the Prairie du Sac area. Mary Jane enjoyed word puzzles, camping with Bud, bowling, playing cards, watching the Packers, and having fun. Her grandchildren were very important to her, and she encouraged them without reserve.

She died at Sauk Prairie Hospital on July 27, 2015.

Survivors include her grandchildren Jodi (Rob), Richard (Nicole), April (Jason), and Leonard; great-grandchildren Paige, Coraline, and Ella; sister Viola Ennis; and numerous nieces and nephews . She was preceded in death by her husband, sons, parents, and siblings Harold, Martha, Robert, Ralph, Ethel, Dorothy, Mervilla, Deloris, and Marvis. There will be a memorial at Tripp Heritage Museum in Prairie du Sac on Saturday, August 22, 2015 from 2 - 5 PM. Family and friends are welcome to attend.