George Andersen

George Andersen, 85, of Sandy, Utah, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

George was born on June 24, 1938, to Otto Willy and Lilly Venema Andersen in Salt Lake City, Utah. A child of the depression, he learned to fix everything and to build what he needed. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army. George served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Holland and Denmark, and was in the last group of missionaries who traveled to Europe by ship.

Anyone who met George was immediately greeted with a joke, anecdote, or story. It was usually something that no one else would be able to get away with, but George managed to form a unique connection with people from all walks of life. He had a knack for causing trouble, and a love for helping anyone with a need.

He was a locksmith by trade, which came in handy when he continually locked himself out of the house. After picking the lock several times, George started keeping a key punch in his van so he could cut a new key when he couldn't get in.

George's life was one of service, adventure, and humor. He had many friends and people he cared for, but what he loved most was spending time with his family.

George is preceded in death by his wife Janet Smith, his parents, Otto Willy and Lily Andersen, his brother, Raymond Andersen, sons-in-law Melvyn Frost and Dustin Hardman, and grandsons Stephen Hardman and Jacob Frost.

He is survived by his brothers John (Peggy), Michael, David (Sue), and his sister Kathryn (Steve), sister-in-law Nancy; children Marlene Frost, Karen Nay (Brian), Laura Hardman, Christine Griffin, Rebecca McKinnon (Corey), Sarah Pogue (Michael), Thien Nguyen; 20 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Friday, September 8, 2023, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home at 4330 S. Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah.