LaRae Dunston Anderson

LaRae D. Anderson - wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, aunt, artist, and natty dresser quietly stepped away from her earthly home on December 9, 2025. A woman of grace and strength, LaRae filled every room with warmth, kindness, and a ladylike charm that made all who knew her feel seen and cherished.

Born of goodly parents, Raymond and Ellen, LaRae was raised among the peach orchards of Grand Junction, Colorado and she carried her country roots with pride throughout her life. The lessons she learned there – hard work, gratitude, and resourcefulness - became the foundation of the woman she grew to be. She met and married her high school sweetheart, Gary S. Anderson, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and together they raised five wonderful children – Michael, Michele, Kevin, Kent, and Christine.

LaRae was a true artist in every sense of the word. Whether she was painting, creating delicious meals, or tending to her meticulous garden, she created beauty with her hands. Her home bloomed with color and creativity. LaRae and her daughter, Michele, started Folk Art Finish and taught decorative art to thousands of students in Utah, across the United States and in other nations. The friendships and memories created with the “LaLaLadies” were dear to her.

LaRae served faithfully in many callings as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She combined her love of the Savior and her love of art as she served in the Conference Center at Temple Square. Discussing with visitors the spiritual themes in the Center’s beautiful paintings fulfilled her, as did the treasured friendships she made there. She also enjoyed working with her library ladies in the ward. LaRae’s testimony was unwavering and reflected not only in her words but in her acts of service and in her daily interactions.

LaRae also had her own delightful quirks, which her family will forever treasure. She had a long-life love affair with ketchup and would smother even the finest steaks. She justified the impropriety by saying, “Ketchup is a French sauce, for heaven’s sake.” She could never resist a good Snickers candy bar or a stale bag of Cheetos – yes, stale. She owned every blue and white dish west of the Mississippi and would never miss a chance to have a Downton Abbey marathon with copious amounts of Diet Coke. LaRae was known to set an alarm on her phone so that she could get up in the middle of the night to tend to her virtual “Hay Day” game farm. (Note: Her virtual farm was named after the farm she grew up on – “Happy Ours”.) These simple joys made her family smile and will continue to do so as they remember the woman who loved them without end.

Above all else, LaRae was about family. She was a devoted wife and a legendary mother whose support never wavered. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews adored her stories, her Christmases, her Thanksgivings, her advice (solicited and un), the snack bags of Oreo cookies, her hugs, and the safe, loving space she created for each of them. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, faith, creativity, and deep, enduring love. LaRae will be dearly missed and forever remembered.

LaRae is preceded in death by:
    Husband - Gary
    Parents - Raymond and Ellen
    Brother – Robert
LaRae is survived by:
    Children – Michael (Patti), Michele (Dana),
    Kevin (Anne), Kenton, Christine (José)
    18 Grandchildren
    33 Great-grandchildren
      1 Great-great-grandchild
    Numerous and Beloved Nieces and Nephews

Dear Friends

We welcome family and friends to the viewings and funeral service to be held at the Cottonwood 11th Ward Chapel – 1830 East 6400 South, Murray, Utah 84121. Viewings: Tuesday, December 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and, Wednesday, December 17 from 10:00 to 10:45 am. Funeral Service: Wednesday, December 17 at 11:00 a.m. We express appreciation to the nurses and aides at Refined Hospice and to the staff of SereniCare Funeral Home. Those wishing to send flowers may purchase them at the link below or send them to the chapel on Tuesday, after 5:00 p.m.