Lani Anderson

1939 - 2016

Lani Anderson

March 10, 1939

September 12, 2016

Leilani Mock Anderson died peacefully on September 12, 2016. Lani was 77 years old. She was born in Turtle Creek Pennsylvania on March 10, 1939 to Henry Mock of Waipio Valley Hawaii and Mary Jane Brashier Mock Shirley of Pennsylvania. She had one sister Jane Rowe Ronca who lives in Arizona. Her family moved many times in her early years. She lived in Pennsylvania, Washington & California. Her Family including her stepdad Claude Shirley finally settled in Sparks when Lani was young and in grade school. Lani made her life long home in Sparks on York Way with her husband Edward P. Anderson, who she was married to for 57 years, and their two children, Eddie Anderson, of Sparks, and Kelly Gardner and her husband Rick, of Zephyr Cove. She graduated from Sparks High School, attended Brigham Young University and University of Nevada Reno. She worked for the Lumber Yard, First Interstate Bank, cared for kids, and ultimately worked for Washoe County School District for many years from the late 60'-90's. She was at Sparks High for many of those years before moving to Reed High school for the majority of her career. While at Reed High she worked in the Math, English, and Social Studies departments and did security. She worked most of her years there in the library. She shared not only her love of books with students but she helped many of the kids feel loved and helped them find their strengths and achieve their best selves with her guidance. She coached hundreds of cheerleaders over the years. Lani lovingly supported and guided them to be strong, independent women and great leaders in life. Cheering them on to be happy, successful women. After a battle with a life changing illness in 1996 Lani didn't let her handicap let it stop her. She continued to work hard and live her life to the fullest. She enjoyed summers with her family and friends at her summer cabin in Lake Almanor, California. She loved time on the beach with her grand-kids eating nachos and snow cones. Cooking for big family holidays. Her recipe for chili won Best Chili at Picollo School chili contest. She volunteered at Zephyr Cove Elementary School in Lake Tahoe. She was the very proud grandmother of four kids. RJ Gardner (Salt Lake City), Becca Gardner (Los Angeles), Whitney Gardner (Salt Lake City), and Michael Gardner (Seattle). She attended most of their baseball, hockey, soccer games, swim meets, ski races, cheerleading, dance recitals, competitions, acting classes. She sill watched her son play adult baseball until his late 40's. Her happiest times were on bleachers, but she also loved sitting in theaters watching plays, dance, or shooting a movie. She commuted from Sparks to Zephyr Cove to care for and help raise her four grand kids. She was not only loved in Sparks, but also at the Lake and known by so many kids as "Grandma Lani." She loved telling everyone she knew or just met all about her family and her loving furry companion Stormie. Family was her most proud accomplishment and most meaningful part of her life. Her family also included, brother in law Bernie Anderson of Sparks and his wife Clyda, Her niece's, Cairn Lindloff and Natha Anderson. Cairn and Eric's boys, Teague and Connor. Her sisters children, nephew Steven Rowe, nieces Suzie Rowe Neer, deceased Peaches Rowe Brinkman, and nephew Bobby Rowe. She had many friends most of her close friends were extended family and meant the world to her. Lani quietly did scholarships at Reed and Sparks High Schools each year. In lieu of flowers feel free to donate to Reed or Sparks High In Memory of Lani Anderson. Scholarships have been set up in her name. Lani will be put to rest at Our Mother of Sorrows in Reno Nevada with a small simple goodbye as she wished. Monday September 19th at 2:00

Aloha! She will be celebrated in our memories.