Victor W. Anthony Jr.
August 27, 1940 – September 14, 2026
A humble potato farmer with a big heart, Victor Anthony spent his life quietly giving more to the world than he ever asked from it.
Born to Jessie and Victor Anthony Sr. on Aug. 27, 1940, in a farmhouse in Lind Center, Wisconsin, Victor Walter Anthony Jr. grew up learning the importance of family, hard work, and generosity. Victor was very close with his mother, who demonstrated quiet strength, frugality, and unconditional love, while his older sisters, Eileen Loehrke and Patrica Boushley, made sure Victor stayed on the straight and narrow with their loving guidance, quick wit, and unwavering hospitality.
Victor maintained a strong, devoted lifelong friendship with his older brother, Lucius (Bud) Anthony, and as the youngest siblings in a big family, Vic and his younger sister, Rosalie Bednar, spent a lifetime loyally looking out for each other.
A wiz at math, but otherwise rather uninterested in formal schooling, Victor headed off to Spencerian Business College in 1958. Upon graduation, he and his best friend Bill Hoffman enlisted in the Army, where Victor served as a bookkeeper stateside. Upon being honorably discharged, he headed back to Wisconsin to help his brother Bud grow and operate Anthony Farms, Inc. of Scandinavia, Wisconsin.
The revered uncle to many nieces and nephews, Victor cared deeply about his extended family and valued his relationships with each and every one of them.
As he would say, Victor was a “late bloomer,” meeting Christine Buchholz, the love of his life, in 1973 and later marrying on May 23, 1975, at the ripe old age of 34. Vic and Chris established their home in Waupaca, where they raised their three daughters, Karen, Katie, and Carol.
Vic and Chris’ love for their community, and the people in their community, can be seen and felt around many corners. Victor, a kind and gentle man with a generous heart, was a fan favorite of his daughter’s friends and was well-known for his famous stove-made popcorn and root beer floats – a dinner of champions.
Although he would refer to himself as a simple potato farmer, Victor was in fact a successful agri-businessman who believed steadfastly in the power of relationships and treating people fairly. Vic’s vision and determination were the seeds of his success, and his integrity, intellect, and hard work nurtured the company’s growth. With a team of employees whom Vic considered part of his extended family, Anthony Farms became a leader in the Wisconsin potato industry.
Victor had a knack for knowing how to get just about anywhere. Lost in Alabama? Just call Vic, and he will tell you exactly which roads, plus a few alternate routes, will get you back on track. Vic’s passion for cars, preferably red ones, resulted in a midlife crisis of a little red convertible; while not very practical for Wisconsin, it sure was a lot of fun. Vic loved rock n’ roll, specifically Elvis, and could cut a rug on the dance floor.
A lifelong connoisseur of sweets, there is not a slice of pie or dish of ice cream that Vic didn’t love. A man of unwavering faith, Victor was always available with a heartfelt prayer, and he walked through life with grace and a generous heart. His faith was a source of strength during times of challenge and times of joy. When asked how he was doing, Vic would respond, “Every day is a gift.”
Victor was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in 2018. He continued to live his life the only way he knew how, with positivity, faithfulness, humility, kindness, and appreciation for others. Victor passed away peacefully on Sept. 14, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin. One of Vic’s last gifts was to contribute his body to Lewy Body Dementia research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Though our hearts are broken by his loss, we find comfort in knowing that Vic is no longer suffering and that he is at peace. The memories he created, the lessons he taught, the example by which he lived his life, and the love he shared will live on through those who knew him.
Victor is preceded in death by his dear mother, Jessie Anthony; father, Victor W. Anthony Sr.; sisters, Eileen Loehrke, Patricia Boushley, Marien Wozny, and Margaret Callies; brother, Jim Anthony; his father- and mother-in-law, Harold and Ruth Buchholz; and his son-in-law, Jonathan Beal.
He is survived by his loving wife, Chris; daughters, Karen Gabler (Peter), Katie Anthony (Ben Rasmussen), and Carol Anthony (Jason Good); grandchildren, Patrick, Theodore, Elizabeth, Elliott, and Meredith; sister, Rosalie Bednar; brother, Lucius (Bud) Anthony; and a host of other family and dear friends.
In the gracious words of Victor, “I’ve had a good life.”
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation for the wonderful staff at the Wisconsin Veterans Home for the kindness and care they extended to both Vic and his loved ones.
A visitation for Vic will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 4-8 p.m. at Holly’s Funeral Home in Waupaca. Victor’s Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca, with visitation at the church just prior from 1-2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Vic’s honor to ELCA World Hunger (P.O. Box 1809, Merrifield, VA 22116-8009 or online at https://ELCA.org/give with a note “in memory of Vic Anthony”) or Trinity Lutheran Church (206 E Badger Street, Waupaca, WI 54981).
