Anina Nelson Diederich

July 9, 1940 ~ July 12, 2021

ANINA LOUISE NELSON DIEDERICH, cherished wife, mother,

grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away the

evening of July 12th, 2021, just three days after her 81st birthday. She was

in her beloved home, surrounded by family.

Anina was born on July 9, 1940 to her loving parents, John and

Esther Nelson in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was named after her maternal

grandmother, Anina Andersen. She loved her name because of her

Grandma, but also because she could spell it. . . . backward or forward!

She left behind two sisters and two brothers. Shauna Nelson Steen

(Norm), Alayna Nelson, Dann Nelson (April) and Kelly Nelson (Pat). She

also leaves behind her in-laws. Wilford Diederich (Claudia), Margarete

Diamond (Kay), Elfriede Friend (Jack), Rudi Diederich (Kathy).

Anina was always a good student and attended Forest Elementary

School, Irving Jr. High School, South High School and the University of Utah.

Hugo and Anina met on a blind date. They dated almost a year

when they were married on September 16, 1960 in the Salt Lake Temple.

This September they would have been married for 61 years.

Hugo and Anina have five sons and one daughter: David Hugo

Diederich (who passed away before his 16th birthday), John Michael

Diederich, Daniel Karl Diederich (Kelly), Phillip Rudi Diederich (Carie),

Heidi Diederich Hanks (Stan) and Stephen Nelson Diederich (Sarah).

They have 20 grandchildren, 7 great grandsons and are expecting a

great granddaughter in September. They are blessed.

Anina loved everyone and everyone loved Anina. She was born to

be a leader. . . a Stake Relief Society President and a Ward Relief Society

President. . .twice. She wrote many “road shows” and books and books of

poetry. If you needed anything, she’d be there. . . . either in person or

sending you a sweet note to let you know she was thinking of you. Most

of these notes also contained a dollar bill with instructions to. . . “go buy a

candy bar!”

Anina was truly selfless. Her kindness and laughter were infectious.

Anina loved to travel and also served a mission in Germany with Hugo.

But. . . . her favorite place to be was in her own back yard, feeding the

ducks! Anina loved to sing “crazy little songs” to anyone that would listen

(especially if she held you captive in the car on the way to Bear Lake).

She loved Bear Lake, but she also loved her Salt Lake home and the street

where she lived. Anina loved poppies, sunflowers and Diet Coke! Anina

loved life. . . . she is our “Sunshine”!

Anina was preceded in death by her son, David, her parents, John

and Esther Nelson, her in-laws, Fritz and Anna Diederich, her

brother-in-law, Wilford Diederich and by many beloved aunts, uncles,

cousins and friends.

To everyone she loved. . . . and most importantly to her children and

grandchildren. . . .she leaves behind the words of Winnie the Pooh:

“If ever there is a tomorrow when

we’re not together. . . .there is something

you must always remember.

You are braver than you believe,

Stronger than you seem,

And smarter than you think.

But the most important thing is,

even if we’re apart. . . . .

I’ll always be with you.”

A viewing for Anina will be held on Sunday, the 18th of July 2021 in

the Cottonwood Third Ward, 6361 South 2300 East from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

that evening.

**NOTE: The evening viewing and the services will be held at 2 separate locations.

Her funeral will be held at the Cottonwood Stake Center, 1830 East

6400 South the following day, Monday, July 19th, 2021 at 12:00 noon.

There will also be a viewing before the funeral from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at

the Stake Center. All are welcome.

Anina will be buried next to her son, David at the Wasatch

Cemetery at 3401 South Highland Drive following the funeral.

Cottonwood 13th Ward is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Anina Diederich Funeral

Time: Jul 19, 2021 12:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88260373767?pwd=T0lxNnBMNFZDbHM3emRlY1Fva0RRZz09

Meeting ID: 882 6037 3767

Passcode: 448605