Maralee Anderson

Maralee Anderson, age 82, of Hudson, formerly of River Falls and Amery, passed away unexpectedly on March 20, 2025.

Maralee was born on May 22, 1942, in River Falls, Wisconsin, the daughter of Floyd and Mary (McKahan) McLaughlin. She attended St. Bridget’s Parochial School before graduating from River Falls High School. Growing up she and her brother Mike had wonderful times at their Family’s Horse Farm and Cottage on the Kinnikinnic River. She developed a deep love for horses, often riding on trails and enjoying her time as a member of the River Falls Saddle Club earning 1st place ribbons and trophies while in High School. She was also a Lifeguard at Glen Park River Falls Community Pool, a Majorette in the Marching Band and Concert Band, she loved to play the Piano and Sing in the girl’s chorus and mixed chorus. Maralee also enjoyed playing the Ukulele, Accordion as well as playing the Saxophone performing in the High School Rhythmaires Jazz Band and Orchestra, if that wasn’t enough, she would be Waterskiing on the St Croix River or tubing down the Kinnikinnic river. Maralee was super talented in just about everything. She had a wonderful loving family growing up, always helping others along the way. She later pursued cosmetology school training in the Twin Cities and briefly worked as a hairdresser.

On March 9, 1962, she married Ronald Anderson from Hudson, WI down in Tempe, Arizona. Moving to Amery, WI in 1964 Maralee devoted herself to raising their four children: Todd, Meme, Lisa, and Pam. Maralee and Ron started in business owning and operating the Anderson McLaughlin Furniture Store in Amery. (Now Slumberland Furniture Amery). Together, they made Amery their home, raising their children and creating countless memories first on Bear Trap Lake Wapogasset, then North Twin Lake in downtown Amery enjoying snowmobiling, boating, waterskiing, swimming and picnics in the middle of the lake… (Maralee always kept her plaid water skis in the boathouse from when she was a teenager). Amery was a great place to raise a family, especially with all the wonderful friends she made and special people in the community. Maralee was always up for an adventure, especially when it involved her family. She earned her pilot’s license flying a Cessna so she could help copilot when flying to family vacations in Florida.

As already mentioned, one of Maralee’s greatest passions was music, she sang at local weddings and funerals always giving herself to others with her huge heart. While living in Amery, she was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church choir where she served as choir director. She also enjoyed playing tennis, as well as taking countryside drives to admire God’s beautiful landscapes.

Her elegance and sense of class were qualities she passed down to her children as well as her grandchildren who have always adored her calling her Hubby, nothing brought her more joy than being surrounded by her loved ones. She loved entertaining with family and friends in Amery or Florida and was very good at it, it was her way of bringing people together, miss hospitality.

Maralee transitioned after her marriage to Woodbury, MN owning and operating the King Koil mattress company in Brooklyn Park, MN. She later went on to sell the business after doing a wonderful job in maintaining and growing the business with its ups and downs with all the support from good people.

Most recently, she lived in Hudson’s Red Cedar Canyon neighborhood. She loved attending plays at the Ordway, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Old Log Theater in Excelsior, especially Elvis, Grease and Jerry Lewis performances and more.

Maralee will forever remain in the hearts of her children: Todd Anderson, Ronalee "Meme" Fenske, Lisa (Tom) Novak, and Pam (Bill) Milbauer; her grandchildren: Mitch (Erin) Fenske, Michael Fenske, Jonathan Novak, Ashley (Ricky) Benitez, Austin Robinson, Ali Robinson, and Amanda Robinson; and her seven great-grandchildren: Jaxon and Braxton Fenske, Beau and Blair Benitez, Aria, Elin and Reagan Novak. She was preceded in death by her Parents and Brother, Floyd, Mary and Mike McLaughlin.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Maralee Anderson will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, May 22, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in River Falls, WI. A Celebration of Life will take place from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM at River Falls Golf Course in River Falls.

Memorials are preferred to the discretion of the family and may be directed to the funeral home.

Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For further details, please see www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com, or call 715-425-5644.