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Ella Anderson

10/24/1924 - 04/24/2020

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Ella Anderson, our loving and devoted Mother and friend, to all whose lives she touched, early in the morning on April 24, 2020.  She left us peacefully and in the company of family at her residence in Mesa, AZ.  She was in her 95th year.

Born in Colonia Garcia, Chihuahua, Mexico on October 24, 1924, to Leonard Whetten and Lettie Beecroft, raised from the age of 10 by Leonard Whetten and Willmirth Skousen. She witnessed incredible changes to our world in her lifetime.  Graduating from Academia Juarez High School in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico on May 24, 1943.  Then becoming an educator and taking a job as an Elementary School teacher in Mexico, which she held for 35 years, retiring in 1980 as a 3rd grade teacher.  She met her husband, Leonard ‘ManE’ Anderson in Pacheco, Mexico in 1943 and married him in a civil ceremony in Colonia Juarez, Mexico on August 27, 1944.  Shortly after they were sealed in the Mesa, AZ Temple on January 12, 1945.

Together with their 5 children, they became naturalized citizens of the United States in October 1967.  Moving from Mexico to the United States in 1979, settling in Hereford, TX, and later moving to Gore, OK.  After losing her devoted husband, Leonard ‘ManE’ Anderson, in July 1993, she later moved to Mesa, AZ where she resided for the rest of her days.

Devoted Mother of Dahrlene McDowell (Jim), Ellen Turley (Marshall), Karen Tarwater (preceded in death by Dan), Gary Anderson (Laura), and J. William Anderson (Alisa).

Preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard ‘ManE’ Anderson and her sisters: Agnes Marine Whetten, Melvina Allen, and Arletta Taylor.  Survived by her sisters: Lenna Smith and Betty Jo LaMarca, all five of her children, 15 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Ella lived a full life as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, and Elementary School teacher.  She loved being an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and truly enjoyed serving her church as a Temple Ordinance Worker for 15 years and a Spanish Director for 3 years in the Mesa, AZ Temple.  She is best remembered for her cooking, storytelling, highly competitive game playing, and supremely compassionate heart.  Most of all, she loved her family and instilled in her five children strong values that continue to serve them well today.  She will be dearly missed and will forever be in our hearts.

A viewing for Ella will be held at Bunker Garden Funeral Home at 33 N Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201 for immediate family.  She will then be taken back to Gore, OK to be laid to rest with her husband. A graveside service will be held at Stevensen Cemetery in Gore, OK, but due to the world pandemic, unfortunately and with great sadness, it will also be limited to immediate family.

Condolences

  • My prayers for peace and comfort during your time of sorrow. The Lord be with you.

  • So sorry for your loss

  • My regards and sympathy to all her children and family. She played a big part in my childhood and was so kind to me.

  • Duwayne and Donna Briley

    We sure loved our visit with Ella in December! ❤️Our hearts and prayers are with her family.❤️

  • Beautiful picture of a beautiful sister. She will be sorely missed.

  • Please accept my deepest sympathy at the passing of your mother! She was a great example to all who knew her of a Christ centered life. I am profoundly grateful to have known her.

  • Ella will be remembered and loved far into the future! What a lovely lady and wonderful teacher! 🌹

  • Debra Breinholt

    So sorry for your loss of a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend. May you all find comfort and peace in the wonderful life and legacy she left for you.

  • Townsil & Donna Lane

    Our prayers & hearts are with you all as you lay to rest your wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend , we will miss her much though we know she is now with the lord & her husband & family that has gone before her so we are happy for her . Our prayers are with you all , love Townsil & Donna & Sonja

  • Olivia Alvarez

    Mi gran sentido pesame a toda su familia ,fue mi gran maestra ,siempre con todo cariño que nos dio asi la vamos a recordar

  • Marie (Shupe) Thompson

    My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

  • Eleise & Jimmy Traylor

    So sorry to hear this. Our thoughts & prayers are with each of you! God bless you all❤

  • Cathy Jones Hatch

    Oh how I loved her as my 3rd grade teacher at Escuela Manuel Dublan! She loved me and I felt special. I also got to spend time in her home because I was a childhood friend of Karen. Many years later I ran into her in the Col. Juárez Temple and was able to express to her my love and gratitude.. She was a wonderful woman!

  • Linda Johnson Payne

    I loved my sweet cousin and friend. Sister Anderson was truly an elect lady and was an example of love and service to everyone. We truly lost an angel. My condolences and love go to your sweet family.

  • Dora Call Bingham

    I have many fond memories of your mother and you guys living next door to us in Dublan. We had many hours playing together in the vacant chicken coops. I think that your mother’s excellent teaching me in school, encouraged me to also be a school teacher. Keep in touch.

  • Ella Anderson was a wonderful example of Christlike attributes. She was always smiling and wanted to make sure you felt loved and special. I’m so glad that I knew her! I aspire to be just like her. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ella’s dear family. We love you!

  • Gerald & Sherry Courtney

    We will surely miss our dear Sister Anderson! She was the sweetest person and we were always met with a sweet smile from her at church when she was able to be there. May your sweet memories outweigh the sorrow of her missed presence until you meet again. Our hearts go out to you and you will be remembered in our prayers. Gerald & Sherry

  • Jeanene Castillo

    I only met Ella in her later years but I was impressed with her graciousness and kindness. I was blessed to meet her a her beautiful daughters! You have touched my life!

  • Florene Brinkerhoff

    I have treasured Ella’s friendship since we became Visiting Teaching companions years ago. Her love of our Savior, Jesus Christ and the sisters we visited were precious examples. I will miss her. I’m happy for her joy of being with her sweetheart; and grateful she had such loving, constant care while she prepared to “gradu-ate” this life with honor.

  • Connie Gray and Betsy Love

    Condolences and love to the Family. Ella is always inspiring and uplifting with a strong testimony.
    Love, Connie
    I loved visiting with Ella. She is such a sweetheart with the biggest smile and purest heart. We will miss her.
    Love, Betsy

  • I have had the privilege of being Ella’s Visiting Teacher and her Ministering Sister. I loved going to their home and visiting with her! She is such a wonderful, sweet Sister. I will miss her, but I am grateful she is now with her sweetheart! My prayers are with all of her family! LOVE YOU sweet Ella and your family.

  • Richard Johnson

    Ella always smiled with love, even as I’d speak with her in my less skilled Spanish. I’ll miss the faith shared during the sacrament service with her and other relatives at home. Her natural grace, gentleness and love for all will serve her well eternally. Linda, Amy and I send love for Ellen and all relatives.

    Richard Johnson

  • David Len & Angie Allen

    Fabulous aunt, wonderful piano player, best enchiladas I ever had! Glad you were able to attend last year’s impromptu concert at Lenna’s. Ever-present in our hearts. Much love always. Your nephew, David Len.

  • What a beautiful spirit always met us when we entered Ella’s home. Ella was an elect lady and truly Christ centered and loving, her children are definitely her’s. I am so bless to home teacher and be a ministering brother to her and her family with brother Dwight Frederick Schnebly, I miss her and hope we will all meet at Jesus’ feet, with great joy and rejoicing, go with God dear Ella

  • We send our dearest Condolence, to a truly exceptional and Christ like daughter of God! She will sorely be missed, but we look forward to seeing her again at Jesus’ feet, God be with you until we meet again : )

  • Helen Christensen

    One of my fondest memories of Ella is when she led the older sisters in water aerobics. She was over 80 and made it such fun. I still do the ones I can remember. Besides she had a wonderful smile.

  • Melanie Romney

    Loved her as my 3rd grade teacher! Read us “We Were There” histories in the afternoons, taught me Spanish, and so much more. Great lady, God welcome you home.

  • Rainey Bruchette

    I was one of Ella’s visiting teachers long ago. She was a quiet soul that wore a sweet smile that made one feel welcomed.

  • Oh, how I love my sweet Ella!

  • Her smile was amazing and she was so sweet! I am sad but heaven is rejoicing!

  • Ginger Von Kampen

    I’m so sorry to hear she is gone. I love how eyes would light up when I said hello to her. She always made me feel special.

  • Misty Stacey

    My condolences to the family she was a very sweet lady and will be greatly missed

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