After a courageous nine-year battle with Synovial Sarcoma, Erik Leif Anderson, surrounded by loved ones, slipped into Heaven on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, greeted by his old dog, Ruby and many loved ones. Erik was born on Dec. 8, 1974, to Marcella (Anderson) Anderson and Ed Anderson. Starting life as a tiny little baby, he grew into a 6'6" gentle giant. He spent his childhood in Oregon. Using the world as his playground, he always wondered "how" and "why" and spent hours trying to figure it out. After high school, he worked at Gary Willie's Service Station, Machine Services, Forms Pro Printing, Don Miller Dodge and Fair Valley Performance. Erik married his true soul mate, Debra Fago on Sept. 15, 2007. Together they loved and laughed through life. Erik liked to camp, ride his 4-wheeler, hunt, spend time with his family and friends and was an avid Packers, Badgers and Brewers fan. He had a very special connection with animals, training his dogs, Daisy and Cinder to be "almost human." Erik is survived by his wife, Deb; mother, Marce Anderson; father and step-mother, Ed (Nancy) Anderson; brother, Thor (Dana) Anderson; mother-in-law, Janice Fago; brother-in-law, Darren (Melissa) Fago; nieces and nephews, Ian, Kyleigh and Raeleigh Anderson and Miles Fago; maternal grandfather, Ellery Anderson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Erik was greeted in Heaven by his maternal grandmother, Marguerite Anderson; paternal grandparents, Thor and Ethel Anderson; father-in-law, George Fago; and many loved ones. Erik truly had the type of smile that lit up a room as he walked in. Erik was a wonderful friend to have and would go the extra mile to help make things "five times better." His bravery and courage throughout his long battle inspired us all. Erik's sense of humor had us laughing, even as he continued on his final journey. As he did throughout his life, he took control of his situation saying to Deb, "Well, I've either got to get busy living or get busy dying." He was our hero.