Marion Dean Anderson passed away Sunday, January 1, 2017 surrounded by his family whom he loved so much. After a diagnosis of a glioblastoma brain tumor in September, he spent his final months cherishing the time he had left with his family and making sure they were cared for after his departure. We experienced so many tender mercies these last few months, especially the extra time where he was able to meet his newest grandson and support his son through a difficult surgery.
Dean was born on September 15, 1942 in Blackfoot, Idaho to Glenn and Melba Anderson, the fourth of five children. When he was ten years old, his family moved to Manhattan Beach, California. After high school he served in the army and then on an LDS Mission in the North Argentine Mission from 1963-1965. He received a BA and MBA from BYU where he met the love of his life, Kathryn Ann Hendricks. The Spirit told him she was the woman he was to marry the instant he saw her; they were engaged within two weeks and married two months later in the Salt Lake Temple on June 2, 1970. He spent their forty-six years of marriage completely devoted to her and her needs and teaching his children how to nurture an eternal marriage. His greatest happiness was when he was hired to work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He worked for thirty-two years under the Presiding Bishopric for the Church's temporal affairs and missionary affairs, twelve of those in South America.
Dean had extraordinary faith and love for his fellow man. Everyone who knew him loved his easy nature, positive attitude, and quick wit; there wasn't a person with whom he couldn't make an instant yet personal connection. He dedicated his life to serving others and sharing the gospel he loved so much. He had the opportunity to serve as bishop, in stake presidencies, and on high councils, but his favorite calling was serving as Mission President in the Texas Dallas Mission from 1990-1993. He loved his missionaries and felt a deep responsibility to mentor them. He considered his stewardship as a father a great honor and loved his seven children deeply. He cherished the one-on-one dates he had with each of them and spent great efforts to teach his children as well as his grandchildren from his well-marked scriptures. He loved being a grandfather and his grandchildren adored him and always will.
He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Ann Anderson; his children Crystalyn and David Nilson, Annalisa and Brett Freeman, Laralee Anderson, Bradon Anderson, Brynnly and Alan Keate, Dayne and Rebecca Anderson, and Carlton Anderson; fourteen grandchildren; and three of his siblings Sharon Payne, LaMarr and Fran Anderson, and Julie and Dave Boyce, who were all able to be by his side as he peacefully passed from this life to the next to be reunited with his parents, Glenn and Melba Anderson, and his sister, Janet Heckert.
We express our deepest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Intermountain Medical Center, Huntsman Cancer Center, and the Highland Care Center who so lovingly cared for Dean these past few months.
A viewing will be held at Larkin Mortuary at 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City on Friday, January 6, 2017 from 6-8 pm as well as Saturday morning from 10-11:30 am at the chapel on 3750 South Hillside Lane in Millcreek, followed by funeral services at noon. Interment will be at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the General Missionary Fund.
