Jean Croft Anderson

1924 - 2014

Aug. 9, 1934 ~ Feb. 16, 2014
Jean Croft Anderson of Orem, Utah, passed away of respiratory failure on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo. Jean was born on August 9, 1924, in Lovell, Wyoming - the oldest daughter of Elna Dalley Jones Croft and Thomas B. Croft, M.D. She graduated with high honors from Lovell High School and completed two years at Brigham Young University and the University of Wyoming before marrying James W. Anderson in Shreveport, Louisiana, on September 11, 1944. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in January 1945. The Andersons made their first home in Shreveport where Jim was serving in the Army Air Corp. They subsequently lived in Laramie, Wyoming, while Jim completed his undergraduate studies, and in Powell, Wyoming, where Jim taught high school science for a year. They spent four years in Denver while Jim attended medical school at the University of Colorado. After Jim completed an internship in Phoenix, Arizona, they made their home in Lovell, Wyoming, where Jim practiced medicine for two years. In 1958 they relocated to Phoenix. Jim maintained his medical practice there for 41 years. After his retirement, they moved to Orem to be closer to family. Jim passed away in 2008. Jean was a bright, intelligent, and talented woman. She had an uncanny ability to remember people and had a genuine interest in their families and their lives. Jean was a fine pianist and a meticulous seamstress. She also loved decorating her home for the holidays, traveling, and caring for her dogs. She was a perfect complement to Jim as he served as a bishop, stake president, and regional representative in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as a ward choir leader, Primary and Relief Society teacher, counselor in a stake Primary presidency, and as a faithful visiting teacher. Jean and Jim were the parents of two children: a son, Gregory Croft Anderson (deceased), and a daughter, Kay Anderson Finnegan. They were blessed with eight grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter, Kay; a brother, Richard J. Croft, D.D.S. (Deana) of Scottsdale, Arizona; sisters Helen Croft Peters (Pete) of Hobbs, New Mexico; Mary Croft Kocherhans (Rex, deceased) of Orem, Utah; Carol Croft Nelson (Manfred) of Orem; and Lynne Croft Lynn (Barton) of Orem; and sister-in-law Donna Anderson Harston Michaelson, of Sandy, Utah.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, February 22, at 11:00 a.m. in the LDS Chapel located at 670 E 800 N in Orem. A Viewing will be in that same building from 10 - 10:45 prior to the services. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to either the LDS Perpetual Education Fund, the LDS Missionary Fund, or another charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.walkersanderson.com.