John Anklam

John Oliver Anklam

August 31, 1952 ~ December 22, 2017

John Anklam, 65, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, December 22, 2017.

John was born August 31, 1952 in Clintonville, Wisconsin to Ervin and Solveig (Peterson) Anklam.  He was baptized on November 9, 1952 and confirmed on May 22, 1966 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Big Falls, Wisconsin.   His confirmation verse was John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

John spent his entire career in Pierce fire truck sales and service, retiring in 2011.  It was his joy to come out of retirement to fulfill the role of stay at home Dad with the birth of his daughter, Bellamy, on November 1, 2012.  This was his true calling and that for which he would most want to be remembered.

John and Spring were married on January 23, 1999 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Appleton, Wisconsin.  They spent their first two years of marriage in Wisconsin and California before making their home in Austin, Texas.  John was a devoted husband and father who appreciated the simple things in life: a good glass of wine, live music, steaks on the grill, a fine bourbon, and the Green Bay Packers.  He was a creative and avid chef who rarely used a recipe.  He enjoyed skiing, tennis, camping, fishing, and hunting while he was able.  John was a self-taught musician, who was able to play guitar by ear and was working to pass this talent on to his daughter.  She shares his love of great music, and especially The Beatles. John was in several bands starting at the age of 15, with his Mom escorting him into the bars in Wisconsin so he could play.  John loved Jesus, his dogs, good friends and his family.

John will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 18 years, Spring; his five year old daughter, Bellamy; sisters Karen (Dennis) Leyer and Nancy (Dennis) Helms, sister-in-law Kay Anklam; parents-in-law Karen and Keith Montanye; sister-in-law Brooke (Ralph) Montaño and brother-in-law Troy Schmidt. He is further survived by his Godchildren:  Jesse Anklam, Lisa Fischer, Dallas Montaño, Cody Montaño, Bailey Montaño, and Aubrey Montaño, his two pups Macie and Ginger, as well as many other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends.

John was an active member of Holy Word Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher and a church leader on various committees. John will be dearly missed by all who knew him.  We take comfort in the assurance that John is with Jesus in heaven, by grace alone, through faith in his Savior.

The Victory Celebration for John will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 12:00pm at Holy Word Lutheran Church, 10601 Bluff Bend Drive in Austin.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Bellamy’s college fund.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

~II Timothy 4:7-