Lenore R Anderson

She was born to Arthur Melville White and Eva May Barker White in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on August 19, 1926, the eldest daughter with 4 siblings Verna, Lyla, Arlene and Robert. Lenore was raised on a dairy farm in Lilyfield, Manitoba, learning to work hard farming, tending animals, cooking, cleaning, and loving life. At age 16, in 1942, she became a temporary licensed teacher during WWII when teachers were in short supply. She moved to a small town in the Manitoba Canadian bush and lived with a student family, on her own for the first time. She taught all grades in a 1-room school in the country – the oldest students were her same age. During the following summer she attended the Normal Teaching College and became a certified teacher, teaching at another small school in the country, and then in Winnipeg in a regular classroom until she married.

While living in Winnipeg, Lenore and her sister Verna became acquainted with missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and joined the Church. Verna later married Norris Anderson, a missionary, and moved to Manassa, Colorado. Lenore visited Verna and met Richard Anderson, Norris’ older brother, fell in love, and after a 4-week courtship, drove back home to Lilyfield, Manitoba, introduced Richard to her family and married. They met in July and were married on September 1, 1951, in her parent’s yard, and were sealed a year later in the Manti, Utah Temple. They settled in Colorado where Eva was born in 1952, then Richard (Ric) in 1953. She was a busy wife and mother.

They moved to Denver in 1957, and had Susan, which brought more good changes. Lenore was challenged with raising kids, getting them to school and negotiating Denver Traffic in a 1955 Studebaker (which she called “Stupidbaker” since it stalled frequently). Their 4th child, Matt, was born in 1960. Summers were spent visiting family in Canada and southern Colorado – So many camping and trailer adventures!

Moving their family to Salt Lake City in 1964, where Richard started a new job, brought additional challenges and blessings. After a short time Richard received a job change to Boise, Idaho in January 1965, where they stayed for the next 12 years. The family remembers Lenore serving on the Stake Relief Society board over Homemaking creating the opportunity to test many interesting meals at home using zucchini, soy meat substitute, raspberries, apples, apricots, and more. She grew a beautiful garden, raspberry patch, rose bushes, and even had a hazelnut tree. Because of her, our home was a gathering place for kids and adults of all ages. Homemade bread was made often and delivered all over the neighborhood. Sarah was born in 1969, a surprise to mom at age 43.

Travels across the United States, Canada, and Mexico were family adventures. In 1971 she became a U.S. Citizen. Mom was an amazing organizer and homemaker. As her children started their families and grandchildren entered her life she was overjoyed. Lenore’s loving handiwork of Levi quilts as well as pieced, quilted, and crocheted edged flannel baby blankets became treasures for each grandchild and many others.

Richard & Lenore moved their family, one last time, back to Salt Lake City in August 1978, returning to the same neighborhood and ward in Sugarhouse where they had lived earlier. They have remained in their same home since then – a center for family gatherings, as all their children eventually married and lived in the Salt Lake area. Lenore continued to serve alongside Dad in the Ward and Stake, sharing her talents of teaching, music, and loving service to all who met her. Lenore also served as a Temple Square guide, a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel.

The importance of the gospel, church service and testimony were very apparent in her life. She served in many positions in the ward and stake in Primary, Young Womens, and Relief Society. Mom and dad took the opportunity to serve 3 church missions: BYU-Hawaii (1986), Zimbabwe, Africa (1990) and Des Moines, Iowa (1999). In between and after their missions Mom and Dad were able to serve as temple workers in the Salt Lake Temple – a sweet experience for both.

Trips to Mexico, Guatemala, Spain, Europe, the Northeast/Nova Scotia, Middle East and all 50 of the United States occupied Mom and Dad’s later years. Mom was always ready to go at any opportunity. Love of Cadbury chocolate bars, Red River cereal, sewing, creating, needlework, canning, cooking, baking, gardening, scripture study, Church service, piano playing, singing, visiting with family, and cuddling her grandchildren were her joys. She was a shining light for our family, of love and acceptance.

After dad’s passing in October 2022, mom continued to live in her home with 24/7 loving care given by her children with the assistance of great Home Health Care workers. This was a sweet time as she missed dad and her memories faded. We thank Caring Senior Service, and Inspiration Hospice for help in her last months. She is survived by her five children, Eva White (Doug), Ric Anderson (Inga), Susan Duersch (Kim), Matt Anderson (Kelly), Sarah Mack (Kalani), 26 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and many other friends and loved ones she counted as family.

The funeral is Saturday August 19, 2023 at Parleys Stake Center, 1870 Parleys Canyon Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT. The viewing will be held 10:00-11:00 with the funeral to follow at 11:30. Burial will be at Elysian Gardens 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah.