Doris Gail Madsen Anderson

Gail Anderson, 85, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024, in Orem, Utah, from the effects of age and a stroke suffered more than three years ago. She was born August 29, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Herbert Charles and Nellie Montgomery Madsen.

She loved growing up on Alden Street in the Sugar House area of Salt Lake City; she was the second child, with Maurine being the oldest, and then Julie and Chuck following her. She graduated from South High School. 

While attending BYU, she was smitten by a returned missionary, Phillip Dale Anderson, whom she married in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 1, 1960. Gail transferred to the University of Utah to follow her future husband but remained loyal and always rooted for the Cougars. She has continued to participate over the years with her Tokalon friends, a BYU social club.

Gail was always grateful for her chance to be a wife and mother of four children. She loved reading to them and used her college degree as a speech therapist to benefit others as well. She also taught 2nd grade for three years while two of her children were on Church missions. She loved sewing and all kinds of needle arts, making clothes for herself and her family, and crocheting blankets for her grandchildren. She especially liked gardening and would work hard every fall, canning and drying the fruits and vegetables to preserve for the winter.

As a Daughter of the Utah Pioneers, her contributions helped to establish a monument for Peter Madsen, her great-grandfather, who miraculously fed both pioneers and Native Americans with his skills as a fisherman on Utah Lake.

Gail and Phil enjoyed ballroom dancing together and were part of a dance club for many years. They were also blessed to travel together to beautiful places around the world; a trip to Israel was the highlight for her. She loved being home too. They have lived in Salt Lake City, Bountiful, Provo, Orem, and Lehi, Utah, as well as four years in California.

Gail regretted not being able to serve a Church mission on her own, so she was thrilled to be called as a senior missionary, with her eternal companion, to work in the Institute Program in Honolulu, Hawaii. She was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she especially enjoyed the relationships that were mutually strengthened through the Relief Society and visiting teaching. She loved serving in the Mt. Timpanogos Utah Temple and participating in music-related callings, with ward choirs, and with the Chauntenette Women’s Chorus in Utah County.

Gail was especially gracious and patient, even without complaint, through all the physical therapy and the years following her stroke. We’re grateful she’s at peace, and now enjoying a reunion with her parents and her daughter, Lynnell Wright, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband Phillip, three children CoriDawn (John) Alley, Blaine Anderson, and Brian (Ipo) Anderson, as well as son-in-law Darin Wright, 17 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren (soon to add five more!).

Services include a viewing from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2024, and the funeral at 2 p.m. that day, at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary (1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, Utah). Interment will be there as well, following the services.