Obituary of Maxwell Owen Andrae

Maxwell Owen Andrae Jr., age 91, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Friday evening, June 13, 2014 at Wisconsin Rapids Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at First Congregational - UCC Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Reverend Paul Veldman will officiate. Entombment will be in the Forest Hill Mausoleum. Military Rites will be rendered by VFW Post 2534. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. Max was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on December 17, 1922 to Maxwell and Gertrude (Bagnall) Andrae. He grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Rufus King High School in 1940. He served his country during World War II. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge. His division was the first to cross the Rhine River at the Bridge at Remagen. General Eisenhower claimed that the crossing at Remagen helped end the war by 6 months. At the end of the war, the 78th Division and others captured 200,000 prisoners and this ended 128 days on the front lines for the division. Max's brave service earned him the Victory Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Overseas Service Bars, and the Good Conduct Medal. Max was a member of VFW Post 2534 and the American Legion Post 9 in Wisconsin Rapids. Max was married to Patricia Luella Fey in Appleton, Wisconsin, on August 13, 1949. He held positions as the President of the Wisconsin River Power Company, Vice-President of the Consolidated Power Company, Vice-President of the Wisconsin Valley LMP Company. He was a registered surveyor and Civil Engineer. He also served as the assistant tennis coach at Assumption High School for nearly 20 years. Max was a faithful member of the First Congregational Church in Wisconsin Rapids, where he served on the building committee and was a member of the Seasoned Sabbath Church Choir. He was the founder of the Max Andrae Indian Mounds in the town of Armenia - said to be one of the largest Indian & Effigy Mounds in the State of Wisconsin. Max loved his family and spending time with his grandchildren and great-children. He enjoyed dancing with his beloved wife, Patricia. He was an active tennis player until his 88th birthday, as well as playing the harmonica and singing. Survivors include his wife Patricia; Children: Peggy (Steve) Ennis, of Wisconsin Dells, Judy (Thomas) Lofthouse, of Loves Park, IL., Carol (Grady) O'Day, of Wisconsin Rapids, and Steven (Mary) Andrae, of Barnum, MN. Grandchildren: Ryan (Julie) Ennis, Bridgette Ennis, Stephanie (Jack) Grignano, Tristan (Jarod) Hoffman, Brian (Amy) Lofthouse, Kerry (Mistique) O'Day, Erin (Jeremiah) Meyer-O'Day, Michael (Lora) Andrae, Eric Andrae (Heather Orcutt), Cody Jo Fix, and Natasha Andrae. Great-Grandchildren: Rylie, Maxwell, Hailey, Trent, Teegan, Daygen, Clara, Owen, and Anola. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Badger Honor Flight or Ministry Hospice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.