Andrea was born on Feb. 18, 1929, in Panguitch, Utah, to Andrew G. and Susie E. Johnson. She graduated from Garfield High School in 1947 where she was a cheerleader and the valedictorian. She loved her childhood growing up in a small town. She enjoyed being a member of the “double twos,” which consisted of her childhood friends, Jean, Cecil, and Eleanor. During her teenage years, she spent her summers in San Diego, where her father worked. In the summers during high school, she worked at Bryce Canyon as a cabin maid, cashier, and switchboard operator.
Andrea graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in English and teaching. While attending BYU, she met Ned Alger. They were married in the Manti LDS Temple on June 29, 1951. She spent most of her teaching career at Granite High School, where she taught English; she especially loved being the yearbook advisor. She was well known for being the students’ favorite teacher! When Cottonwood High School was built in 1970, she transferred there and taught for one year before beginning her counseling career, while completing her master’s degree in educational psychology at the same time. After a long and fulfilling career in public education, she retired in 1987.
Andrea and Ned raised their three girls in Holladay, where many fond memories were made. In 2002, they built a new home and moved to Sandy, where they enjoyed their retirement years being closer to all their girls. Andrea was fortunate to travel the world. She also traveled to many states, attending away football games and bowl games with Ned, who served as assistant athletic director at the University of Utah. But she also visited more exotic places such as the USSR; Berlin, right after the wall fell, and Egypt and Israel when she was in her 80’s. She was an avid reader and could regularly be found enjoying a good book. Later in life, she treasured lunches with her girls and attending all the grandkids’ activities she could.
Throughout her life she was an active member of the LDS Church and enjoyed serving in various callings in the Relief Society and Young Women Program. After they both retired, Ned and Andrea served a mission at the Institute of Religion at Dixie College. They had a fondness for St. George and spent a lot of time there at their condo. There they played cards, traveled, and attended cultural events with lifelong friends.
Andrea served for many years as a member of the Granite Credit Union Supervisory Committee and loved volunteering with the Utah Youth Village.
Andrea is survived by her three daughters: Suzanne (Tom) Jones, Allyson (Mark) Hanks, and Nicole (Mike) Robertson; 12 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Myrna Rasmussen. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Myrl Jenkins, and grandson Jared Hanks.
Her family would like to extend a special thanks to the staff at Crescent Senior Living. She loved her time and the friends she made there. To Pele and her crew, thanks for all the loving care you showed our mom. Thanks to the Canyon Home Health and Hospice Team: Mckell, Carolee, Brittany, Mahi and Lucy. Our mother loved you gals!
A memorial service will be held on May 27, 2026, at Wasatch Lawn Memorial, 3401 Highland Drive in Millcreek, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m., prior to services at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Holladay Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ron McBride Foundation at ronmcbridefoundation.org, which helps fund after-school programs for at-risk kids in Title 1 schools.
