Doris Anderson

Doris Janet Wilson Anderson died peacefully, surrounded by family, dear friends, and her beloved cat, Tux. She was a constant in all our lives, someone who listened, loved, learned, and laughed, even in her final months.

She is survived by her children, Thayne, Bruce, and Audrey Anderson, their spouses, 11 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. Her son, Michael and her husband Justin Jean Anderson predeceased her as well as her parents William and Myrtle Wilson and siblings, Kenneth Wilson and Lois Humphries.

Doris grew up in Shelley, Idaho born during the great depression and was a child during WWII. She was raised with the unconditional love of her parents that she carried to her friends, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Mom had a beautiful alto voice that she used throughout her life, performing in the Shelley High School Triple Trio and in various choirs including a churchwide youth choir eventually singing in the Salt Lake LDS Tabernacle. Saturday mornings mom would sing to a multitude of musicals with her daughter while cleaning the house. Her harmony was lovely and tastes eclectic which also included the music of Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Bach, and Mendelssohn.

As a teen in the ‘50s she fell in love with (Justin) Jean Anderson. They were married in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. She and Jean farmed spuds in Idaho, ran an LDS Welfare Farm in Utah, and after a few other moves eventually settled in Mendon, Utah. She worked a variety of jobs when the kids were young and eventually was able to stay home and care for her growing family.

Doris loved animals and always had a cat or dog by her side. Mom loved the horses from a distance, helped bottle feed lambs, loved to hold kittens, and sat on the floor of the chicken coop making sure the tiny chicks got a drink of water when they arrived in the mail.

Mom could feed up 30 or more for lunch or dinner with ease. She preserved tomatoes, peaches, beans, corn, jam, piccalilli, beets, and so much more. At the end of each canning day, mom would line up the jars and say, ‘Look at those little beauties.’ She also made excellent cookies and a darn good pie.

Doris was an avid reader. When going to the library as a young mother of four, she would always leave with enough books to hold stacked to her chin. Later, her eldest son, Thayne kept her supplied with a variety of fiction and non-fiction. She often said she felt lost without a book or three at hand.

For years, Doris made it a habit to walk up to the Mendon Cemetery nearly every day clocking over 3 miles each time. Even into her early ‘80s, Doris could still be seen on her John Deere riding mower going up and down the lane and around the house making sure the yard was just right.

Later, every Sunday she would have the grandkids over for one of those pies or another homemade dessert. It became a tradition to yell “We’re going to Grandma’s.” When the great grandchildren started coming, she was often surrounded their sweet faces and chattering voices. With an abundance of “I Love You’s” and Werther’s caramels or Hershey’s kisses in small hands, she loved them all….us all.

Near the end of her life, Doris did hours of reflection – talking with her grown children and others who stopped by to listen and for her wise council. All in all, Doris, Mom, Grandma, Auntie, held us in her capable hands and her warm and loving heart as we do her. She will be remembered and missed.

Special thanks to Intermountain Hospice, Jeannette, Jamie, and Liz, to Stephani her personal-carer and to Jean James and Brenda Bohm – all good and caring people and wonderful friends.

Services will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025 at the Mendon Stake Center, 460 South 100 East. There will be a viewing from 9:30-10:30 AM, followed by the funeral at 11:00 AM.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.