Denece Rice Anderson

Denece Rice Anderson, age 94, passed away peacefully with family members at her side on November 10, 2022 at 6:00pm. Denece was born in Farmington, UT on June 9, 1928 to LeGrande (Ganz) Rice and Mable Barlow Rice, the first of five children. Siblings include Bob, Leonard, Chloe and Brent. Throughout her life she shared fond memories of growing up on the family dairy farm with orchards of peaches, apricots, cherries, and grapes. Her stories painted a picture of an idyllic childhood, and in her last years she longed to return there.

Denece began working at a young age and continued to work throughout her life. She was especially proud of the many years she was employed at Hercules.

Denece gave birth to five children from two marriages: Kathleen, Joni, Mike, Denece (deceased), and Jeff. At age 50 she married Gary Anderson and enjoyed 44 years of companionship, travel, and parties with family and friends.

Denece loved Christmas and enjoyed decorating her home for the holidays. She baked dozens of fruitcakes from her mother’s recipe each year, and gifted them to family and friends. She and Gary hosted many dinners and cocktail parties in their home over the years.

Exercise was an important part of Denece’s life. She is a legend at Alta Canyon Fitness Center where she developed a second family of like-minded people and attended spin classes until age 90.

"A very dear quality that our mom possessed was allowing her children to be ourselves. Whether it be choosing our own religion, or choosing not to be religious, daughters traveling cross country on their own, to her son's growing their hair halfway down their back. Though she may not have always approved, she always let us do our own thing. As Jeff, Denece's youngest son, I will forever be grateful that she let me choose my own path."

Denece is predeceased by her parents, many aunts and uncles, infant daughter, Denece, brother Bob, brother-in-law Roy Thompson, sister-in-law Shirley Rice. She is survived by her husband, Gary, children Kathee, Joni, Mike, and Jeff, three grandchildren and their spouses, seven great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, sister-in-law Joyce Rice, siblings Leonard, Chloe, and Brent (Joenne), and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 16th at 2:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), Sandy, with a visitation one hour prior to services.

The family would like to thank her neighbors and friends, Carol, Rose and Clint, for their love and support in her final days. We would also like to thank the staff of SunRise Memory Care and Atlas Hospice for their tender, loving care of Denece these last 2 months.