Brenda Renee Andersen
Brenda Renee Andersen, 66, passed away in her sleep, holding her husband’s hand, on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at her home in Star Idaho due to a lengthy illness.
Brenda was born on September 19, 1957, to Glen B and Melba Hall Youngblood, in Council Idaho. They lived in Cascade Idaho until she was twelve when her family moved to Boise Idaho where she grew up and graduated from Capital High School. Brenda then attended Ricks College in Rexburg Idaho where she earned an associate degree in Sociology and met Jay R (Skip) Andersen. Brenda and Skip were married on July 6, 1977, in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Brenda’s three driving passions in her life were her relationship with God, her family, and service to others. Brenda and Skip were married for forty-seven years, and had five children, two daughters and three sons. Followed by seven grandsons, and a grand daughter-in-law. She was dedicated to her family, willing to travel anywhere, anytime to give them support in time of need. Dinner around the table, camping with the family, and regular phone calls to all of them were her happiest times.
Brenda was passionate about service to others through her church callings and as a volunteer and employee of the American Red Cross. As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints she fulfilled callings in the primary, young women’s, relief society, and as a Gospel Doctrine teacher in the Sunday School, which was her favorite calling. She loved to do genealogy and temple work, serving her ancestors.
She also served others through the American Red Cross by supporting and at times managing local chapters in Arco, Pocatello, and Los Alamos. She served as a national disaster responder, specializing as an emergency planner and manager. In this capacity she responded to fires, floods, and hurricanes around the country, and 9/11 in New York City and managed blood drives, first aid training. After her children were in school, she worked for the American Red Cross and then as an Emergency Manager/Incident Commander at Los Alamos National Laboratory until she was medically retired in 2018. In retirement she served several hours a week as the Red Cross’s Emergency Operations Duty Officer for Idaho and Montana until November 2023 when her illness prevented her from further volunteer service.
Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, Glen B Youngblood, and Melba (Hall) Youngblood. She is survived by her brother David Glen (Coree) Youngblood sister LuAnn (Larry) Walker-Dixon, daughters Kerstin Noel Andersen and Venecia Marie Andersen, and her sons Micah Jay (Linzi) Andersen, Justin Franklin (Becky) Andersen, Anthony Glen Andersen, seven grandsons, and one grand-daughter-in-law.
Brenda’s memorial service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Floating Feather building at 9400 Floating Feather Road, Star, Idaho, 83669 at 10:00 on August 29, 2024. A viewing and family prayer will be held at the Anderson Family Funeral Home at 2555 North Highway 93, Arco Idaho, 83213 at 10:00 am on August 31, 2024. After the viewing and family prayer, a graveside service will be held at approximately 11:30 at the Lost River Cemetery in Moore Idaho prior to internment.
Please send any flowers and condolences to the Anderson Family Funeral Home, 2555 North Highway 93, Arco, Idaho 83213.
Our love and prayers to all of your family. We have very fond memories of our friendship with each of you. May the Lord bless you at this time.
With love,
Sheri DeVore and family
Skip and family,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Please know our prayers are with you all.
Marcia Ann & Phil Schwinn
Skip,
I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of Brenda. Please know that my thoughts are with you during this incredibly difficult time. I remember working in Los Alamos that she was a remarkable person whose warmth and kindness touched the lives of everyone around her.
If there’s anything you need or if you simply want to talk, I am here for you.
Bud Siple
Dear Skip and family,
Our most sincere condolences at Brenda’s passing. She’s a wonderful lady and she’ll be sorely missed.
We love you all and pray you’ll all find peace until you’re peacefully reunited:
Marlin and Jill Ames
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Joan Tueller Bennett & Mitzi Bennett Bodily
We are so sad to hear of Brenda’s passing. She was such a lovely person and we have fond memories of our friendship with her. She was so open and welcoming when we moved to Los Alamos. She will be greatly missed.
Brenda and I taught Sunday School for years together in Los Alamos, NM. She was such an example and mentor to me. I will forever be grateful for her friendship. God bless you Skip & family! We will miss her tremendously.
Skip,
My sincere condolences to you and your family. May the Lord give you comfort during this difficult time, and may Brenda’s soul rest in peace.
I’m sorry for the loss of your sweet wife, Brenda. ❤️ The tribute you wrote about her was beautiful. May the memories you shared bring comfort and peace to you and your family. Sincerely, Judith R. Bailey (Judy)
My condolences to you Jay and Micah and the entire Andersen family, may she rest in eternal peace and comfort.
I had the good fortune to work with Brenda in Los Alamos. As a co-worker she was always kind, thoughtful, highly competent, diligent, and hard working. She was a real pleasure to work with. My condolences to her family and friends.
Skip and family
I am so sorry to hear about Brenda. She really didn’t want to leave her family.
You are beautiful, caring people and I look to you with pride and respect. I wish you all the best going forward and know that you have friends everywhere.
Dale Andreason
SKIP, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayer’s are with you.
Skip I am so sorry for your loss.
Skip, we were so sad to hear about Brenda. We knew her in our genealogy group in Los Alamos. She was a beautiful, warm, caring person. May fond memories of her give some to comfort to you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers to you all. Brenda was a wonderful person and will be missed.
I always felt a special connection with Brenda. She was a great example to everyone who knew her – a wonderful friend! She will be lovingly remembered and missed by all of us who knew her and worked with her.