Mardene Fay Anderson

April 16, 1952 - February 25, 2017

On Saturday, February 25, 2017 Mardene (Dena) Fay Anderson lost her private battle with Breast Cancer. She was born April 16, 1952 in Seattle, WA to James and Elizabeth Lockwood. She died peacefully surrounded by family. Dena is survived by her brother Steven Lockwood, sister Star Lockwood, and her husband Alton Anderson, with children Crystal, Russell (Betsy), Robyn (Andrew), Amber (Kurt), Wendy, Michelle (Brian), Justin (Jennie), Steven and while still at a relatively young age, 12 grandchildren.

Dena was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1971 when she was 19, at the same time that her future husband left on his Church mission to Japan. They met at BYU in 1973. Dena and Alton were married January 25, 1975 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. There was 18” of snow and very cold temperature. They were married while going to Brigham Young University in Provo, UT and moved frequently throughout their 42 years of marriage. They lived in Provo, Orem, Payson, Lehi, Hurricane and Fillmore, Utah. In Ammon and Boise, Idaho. In Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. And the past 14 years in Apple Valley, California. Sharing her testimony of Jesus Christ and her story of conversion was an integral part of her life.

By her own admission she grew up a very spoiled child. That’s easy to do with those especially loved and loving. She was an incredible woman full of strength and faith and determination. From a young age she was a thrill seeker and enjoyed challenging people to the best of their abilities. Her life was not always easy but this helped to develop her strengths and talents to face her challenges and help those around her. Dena enjoyed hiking, skiing and being active. She would laugh with others not at them. She encouraged all to do their best even if their skill set was not swinging a whiffle bat.

Nearly everyone Dena met became an instant life-long friend. She was very devoted to teaching the Gospel through example to her family. Dena leaves behind a powerful legacy of love, hard work, and commitment to family and God. As a mother of eight children and a faithful follower of Christ, she taught us how to live life with joy, how to be a bit obsessive about doing the job right, to love and support each other and to act in accordance with what we believe is right.

Her number one priority was her children. As a mother, this woman would do anything to take care of her children! She loved, she cared for, she taught. She reminded her children of the love the Savior has for them. She gave freely, listened with an open heart, open mind, and a prayer to God. She loved everyone at their best and their worst. Always maintaining a forgiving and understanding heart. She provided strength, understanding, support, optimism, a positive perspective and a deep faith in the Gospel Plan.

Dena had a passion for life. She enjoyed every holiday and every birthday and she made you feel special on every occasion. She found joy in the simple things and taught her children to appreciate growing a garden, walking a dog, and taking care of the elderly. She made sure we knew we had a responsibility to leave things better than we found them. We will miss her greatly, but we rejoice in the fact that she’s now with previously departed loved ones and family.

Memorial Services will be Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the LDS Tuscola Building at 15500 Tuscola Rd., Apple Valley, CA. There will be a viewing at 9am for family, followed by the funeral at 11am for family and friends with her burial at the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Apple Valley at approximately 1pm.