Kendra Sue Anderson

April 14, 2021, Kendra Sue Anderson, age 44, of Spokane, WA left us to be free with her angels after her courageous battle of pain and complications for many years with a debilitating nerve condition. Kendra was born in the Spokane Valley with three siblings Julie, Catherine, and Clayton. She grew up gardening with her Grandparents Wayne and Karen Hull and learning how to sew, crochet, cross-stitch, quilt, can and preserve the gardens bounty, pick huckleberries, and cook for large groups as she did during harvest time on Gordy Millers Farm and for the K Diamond K Guest Ranch in Republic, WA. She talked about remembering fondly milking cows with her Grandpa Hull, dancing gracefully at ballet practices and recitals, and making precious memories with her childhood friend, Kristi.

She was later married for 7 years to Ben Anderson enjoying many adventures together traveling, hiking, backpacking, dreaming, planning, dining, spending time with family and friends, and even making some quilts together. Kendra, nicknamed “Aunt Saya’” by Natalie and “Nokka” by Lincoln had many passions; one of them being helping others, especially children. She loved with her whole heart the many children she was able to touch the lives of including Natalie and Wyatt. In her colorful career talents, she has served as a nanny, a skilled care provider, a pastry chef and professional baker, and a lab technician in a seed plant. She earned her C.N.A. license and worked for many agencies in Spokane and Oregon. Her favorite was providing tender care to Hospice patients making deep connections with her patients, their family members, and even staff. Other degrees Kendra also earned were an AA Degree in Baking at SCC as well as a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at Oregon State University. She continuously sought out new learning and growth all the while striving to try to be kind and patient with herself and manage obstacles presented in her life.

Kendra was vibrant, strong, brave, fun, hard-working, silly, compassionate, and generous. I know at least 3 other people that considered her their best friend too. There wasn’t anything you couldn’t tell her. She was there through thick and thin. And you knew you would always get the truth from her (even if it wasn’t what you wanted to hear.) Hobbies she also enjoyed were hiking, country dancing, and playing and having fun with kiddos. She always led us with a silly song along a hiking trail (especially when weary started to set in with my children). She loved traveling, “shop hops” with family every year, antique fairs, outlet shopping, baking, candy making, camping, crafts, beading, yoga, meditation, and reading. Other ways she shared her love was with homemade baskets of baked goodies, canned preserves, and chocolates and baking elaborate special occasion cakes and cupcakes. Sometimes she would sell her crafts at local fairs and markets and sometimes she would just attend the farmers markets to visit with the special friends. She never forgot a birthday or special occasion. She made it a point to send you a special thank you card in the mail as well as a greeting card for special holidays and your birthday (and your children’s’ birthdays) every year. She stitched with love over one hundred and fifty quilts and at least half the many crocheted blankets in her 28 years of quilting and crocheting and shared her quilts and blankets in hopes for others to wrap up in comfort. It is easy to reflect on all the ways Kendra has impacted and touched lives weaving and stitching her care throughout. The treasured scrapbooks featuring some of her cakes, quilts and blankets are priceless as are all the ways she touched others. She loved doing all these activities, but mostly it was the heartfelt closeness she felt while enjoying time together that was the most important and treasured to her. All whom loved her dearly will never forget her tenacity, patience, honesty, grace, sass, her beautiful soul, and unending love and care for them. I am sad for those who did not get to say goodbye to you. May you know how much you were loved. And may we find peace Kendra, knowing that you have finally found yours.

Thank you for joining to celebrate Kendra’s life at Hazen & Jaeger Funeral Home, 1306 N. Pines, Spokane Valley on Friday June 25th at 1pm or join us for the Livestream version available on the website. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to: The Endometriosis Association, 8585 N. 76th Place, Milwaukee, WI 53223. Phone 414.355.2200