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Virgil Reese Anderson

December 13, 1944 ~ June 23, 2021 (age 76)

Obituary & Services

Tribute Wall

Obituary

Virgil Reese Anderson (76) peacefully died from pancreatic cancer on the morning of Wednesday, June 23, 2021 with his sweetheart by his side after they celebrated their 57 year wedding anniversary.  He was born in Tremonton, Utah, December 13, 1944 to Virgil Leon and Virginia Fern Cornwall Anderson.  He was the youngest of five children.

Reese attended elementary school in Bothwell, Utah and junior and high schools in Tremonton.  After graduating from Bear River High School, Reese attended Utah State University.  He first sat behind the curly headed Susan Green in their 7th grade English class and they later became high school sweethearts. They were married in June 1964. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan Temple. They built their home in Bothwell where they resided for 55 years and raised their family. 

Next to the love he had for his family, Reese loved farming and the feel of soil in his hands.  He enjoyed driving his John Deere and raised many crops, feeding cattle, and dry farming. He farmed in Bothwell, South Tremonton, and Promontory for many years, digging many water wells that made the valleys rich and green. Reese also loved to hunt.  Deer, moose, antelope, elk, lions, bobcats, it didn’t matter.  Every year he sent for his permits and couldn’t wait until Fall hunting season.  He especially loved those trips because his sons and grandsons would go with him, and a hunting trip was always an adventure. He had a love for cowboy poetry, taking rides on his ATV through the mountain ranges, black licorice with peanuts, and a cold Mountain Dew on ice.

Reese could strike up a conversation and make friends wherever he went.  He had a knack for telling tales, didn’t matter if they really happened or not. It was always fun to hear him share stories. He was a great conversationalist and never met a man he didn’t like.

He held many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and coined the phrase “let’s go to Bible school” during church which meant “let’s go get a treat during church”.  Grandchildren will always remember “Bible school”.

Reese is survived by his wife; children, Marti Sue Petersen (Darin) Ogden, Utah; David Reese Anderson (Shauna) Bothwell, Utah; Annette Proctor (Glen) Sandy, Utah; Blake G. Anderson (Cindy) Nashville, Tennessee; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Proceeding him in death are his parents; sister Monette Welling; and brother Curtis Anderson. 

Funeral Services will be conducted by Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home in Tremonton, Utah with a public viewing on Monday, June 28th 6:30pm-8:00pm and on Tuesday, June 29th 9:00am-10:30am with funeral services following at 11:00 am in the Bothwell LDS Wardhouse.  Interment will be at the Bothwell Cemetery.

Special thank you to Symbaii Hospice for their extraordinary care.

To send sympathy gifts to the family or plant a tree in memory of Virgil Reese Anderson, please visit our tribute store.

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A generous thanks to all who attended the 55th Year Reunion at the Lodge at Maddox.  Those attending renewed friendships, laughed a lot, and shared memories.  There were 82 present.  Fourty-eight (48) were classmates.  There was a surprising number who attended our class reunion for the first time.  There were also some who have not attended regularly, who enjoyed the evening.   We all had an excellent meal, the very best company, and great entertainment.  Blaine gave everyone a beautifuly finished cell phone holder that he made by hand - more than 100 of them.  Blaine also made a handsome wooden donation box that will stay with reunion committees.  Jerry used his great MC skills and kept us laughing,  Carol Ann told stories about us.  Some true and most not true at all (they were the best).  Janet sang to us. Her talent still amazes. Dan provided guitar accompaniment for the School Song. We also enjoyed a presentation prepared by Jerry and Aralee highlighting those 21 classmates who have died over the years.  We talked until they turned out the lights on us.  Some of us are suffering from phyical and emontional difficulties and losses, but it did not show.  It is so nice to be part of such a happy group of friends.  

We had not planned to have a class photo, but someone suggested that everyone gather on the steps for a classmate photograph.  Unfortunately, since the picture was spontaneous, some had already left for home. Hope you enjoy.  

A 2023 (60th yr) reunion committee was chosen.  Dennis Fuhriman is the chairman assisted by Virgil Pugsley. Janet Thompson Cook, and Aralee Schothern.  This will be good!

We also solicited donations to kick-start the next reunion and to keep the website supporting and connecting us.  Classmates and their guests raised more than $800. We will now be able to pay for our website subscription and give the next committee the ability to prepare for the next reunion.

Hope to cross paths with you soon, but if not, see you in five years.  Good Health to You!

Your faithful friends:

Blaine Pierson, Jerry and Jan Larsen, and Jay and Judy Nielson