Marjorie Rees Andersen

Marjorie Rees Andersen, extraordinary champion of family, farm, music and the Gospel of Jesus Christ joined her husband in heaven on October 28, 2023 at her home on the farm near Wellsville, Utah. She was 94 years old

Her journey through life began on January 21, 1929, in Coalville, Utah. The daughter of Ralph Miles Rees and Melva Edith Crittenden, Marjorie was the 5th child, with older brothers, Keith, Kenneth, Betty, and Calvin (Kelly). Shortly, Elwin (Pinky) and Elinor (Peggy) followed. As Marjorie approached her senior year of high school at North Summit High School, her baby brother, David (Tim) was born.

Dairy farming (pure-bred Jerseys), 4-H, music and the gospel of Jesus Christ were the staples of everyday life for Marjorie. With her family, they hauled hay, milked cows, fed calves and other livestock, while Marjorie’s gift for singing netted her many opportunities to use her talent.

In 1946, Marjorie met a handsome returned soldier from Peoa, Utah. Arthur James Andersen and she met at a dance and quickly fell in love, and were married in her parents home on May 24, 1947. They moved to Logan, Utah to attend school at the Agricultural College which would eventually become known as Utah State University. They eventually settled on a little farm near Wellsville, Utah and Marjorie’s 4-H projects formed the foundation of their own herd.

They endured many hardships that most dairy farmers went through, but supplemented income with other professions; Arthur spent the most years at Thiokol Chemical and Marjorie tended to the family and farm while he was away. After he retired to farm full time, Marjorie sold Avon, and eventually studied and became a licensed realtor.

Together they raised five children; Arthur James Jr (Jim), Steven Ralph (Steve), Patricia Dawn Call (Pat), Debra Sue Andrew (Debbie) and Michael Rees (Mike). Some of their children’s best friends also saw them as second parents. One in particular - Gina spent a large part of her secondary education as part of the family and Marjorie saw her and her children as family.

Marjorie wasn’t just a second mom to her children’s friends, but almost every 4-Her who joined The Jerstein Dairy 4-H club. For over 25 years, Marjorie nurtured the youth in the dairy 4-H program, tirelessly fundraising for prize money for the Spring Show. She herded kids instead of cows around to various opportunities to master the art of showmanship, judging competitions, and teaching leadership skills. She served in many leadership capacities at the state level and got to serve as a chaperone to the National 4-H Congress in Chicago and other events. After many years she turned the reins of the club over to her daughter-in-law Jaylene but stayed active, attending county and state fairs and dairy shows for as long as her body would tolerate, even into her 90s.

Marjorie also served many years for the Dairy Farmers of Utah and as president of the Cache County Dairy Wives managed the Cache County Dairy Princess contests and took the dairy princesses around to the elementary schools and other opportunities as the princesses prepared for state competition.

Marjorie was known for her voice. A lyric soprano, she sang as a soloist, as a choir member at a ward and stake level with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and with the Bel Canto women’s chorus. Often she was a featured soloist, singing for church leaders such as President Spencer W. Kimball or government leaders. Her voice moved people to tears especially to good songs, such as the Lord’s Prayer, Eternal Life, and many other songs.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marjorie served mostly in the music programs, leading ward choirs, but she also served many years in the Primary and Young Women. She also served two missions with her husband Arthur - first in the St. Louis Mission and a few years later in the Portland Oregon mission. Whether at home, or away from home, together they made many friends wherever they served.

Her favorite pastime was watching the Utah Jazz play, having been hooked on the game during the Stockton-to-Malone era. After her husband passed away while watching the Jazz play the Hornets on April 13, 2012, she continued following the team. One of her grandsons managed to enroll his family to arrange for a surprise 90th birthday party at a live game with the family in box seating in Salt Lake. It was one of her favorite memories after Arthur passed away.

Marjorie is survived by her children, Jim (Jaylene), Steve (Lisa), Pat (Kelly), Debbie (Charlie Schill) and Mike (Michelle), 20 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren with a 39th due on Marjorie’s birthday in January, along with Gina and TC Cuprak’s family of 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Pinky Rees and Peggy Wilde and sister-in-law Joann Rees as well as many nieces and nephews.

Marjorie is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and siblings, Keith (Lueen), Ken (Mildred), Betty (Alden), Kelly (Ellen), and Tim, as well as sister-in-law Joyce Rees and brother-in-law Leon Wilde.

A viewing will be held on November 3rd 2023 from 6-8 p.m. and again on November 4 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church located at 660 South 100 West in Wellsville, Utah. Marjorie’s funeral services will be held in Wellsville at the same location at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2023.

The service will be viewable via Zoom for those who cannot travel. CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FUNERAL LIVE STREAM

Marjorie will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Wellsville Cemetery after the service.

A special thanks to Kim Godfrey and the staff at Cache Valley Mortuary, the home health care staff who took care of her over the years, in particular Jennifer Saxton, Destiny Balls, and her physical therapists as well as the medical teams who helped over the years.