Deanne Wolfley Gardner Johnsen Vanderford

Deanne Wolfley Gardner Johnsen Vanderford - November 25, 1936 - February 24, 2016, Age 79

"Life is the song - Love is the music" The world is a little less brighter with the sudden hospitalization and passing of our dear mother, wife and friend, Deanne Wolfley Gardner Johnsen Vanderford.  Deanne was born in an Afton, Wyoming farm house on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1936, the oldest daughter of Dean and Ann Wolfley Gardner.  She learned the value of work and resourcefulness on the farm, and was raised in the faith and love of 2 large extended families. She was an exemplary student throughout her growing up years, attending schools in Star Valley, and then graduating from Logan High School in 1955.  Deanne excelled in her music studies as well, studying piano with Irving Wassermann at a young age, and being called to be her LDS ward organist at the age of 11. After high school, Deanne was awarded a scholarship to study piano with Madame Karin Dayas at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Ohio.  She endured homesickness and hard work to maintain her scholarship and refine her musical skills. She was promised a dazzling career as a concert pianist or vocalist, but felt that the cost of that fame, a prerequisite "no marriage" contract, was too high.  Upon her return to Utah State University, Deanne met her future husband, Allen Leron Johnsen, and served as his campaign manager in his successful bid for USU Student Body President. They married in August of 1957 and were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple before starting a tour of duty in the U.S. Army that took them to posts all over the country. Deanne has literally performed for and WITH thousands of people throughout her life, as an accompanist, a piano, vocal and organ soloist, choir director and cast member of opera and theater singing title roles of Carmen (1958) and Annie Oakley (1967), with over 20 years as a featured Festival of the American West entertainer. She won the opportunity to perform in a professional music combo for the USO, traveling for 2 months throughout Europe and the Middle East.  Deanne completed a BA and Master's degree in Music Education at USU, and taught private piano and voice lessons for over 50 years.  She was a longtime member of the Utah Music Teacher's Association, serving as Northern Chapter president in 1968-69, loving her many piano students like her own family, and teaching her children to sing and serve through music by her lifelong example. Deanne has been an active member of the LDS church all of her life, serving in many capacities, in Young Women, Relief Society and Sunday School as well as numerous ward and stake music callings. She was a beloved organist in her Providence ward at the time of her death. She has overcome significant loss and tragedies in her life, but she has also been the recipient of many miracles and tender mercies. Deanne has lived a full and marvelous life of faith and struggle, and now has graduated to a new realm of reunion and progression.  Mom, you are one of a kind, thank you for being our rock.

Deanne is survived by her caring companion and husband of the past 38 years, John W. Vanderford; her children, Lezlee (Roger) Bishop, UT; Torianne (Tony) Rawlins, TX: Alec (Kirsten) Johnsen, OR; Jeffrey (Pam) Johnsen, CA; Jennifer (Steve) Stringham, UT; Joel Johnsen, UT; and James (Stephanie) Johnsen, ID.  She is also survived by 26 precious grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren, as well as 3 beautiful sisters, NaVon Cazier, Wynlee Sue Call and Greer Baird.  Deanne is now happily reunited with Leron, her sweet husband, and children, smiling Miles and darling Amanda, whom she has missed terribly.  She was also met in heaven by her siblings, James Walden, Marva Lu Heiner and Gary Gardner,as well as Dean and Ann, parents who worked and sacrificed so much to help their children succeed in life.

A viewing for family and friends will be held at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, Sunday, February 28th, from 5-7 pm.  Funeral services will begin at 12:00 pm on Monday, February 29th, at the Providence UT Edgehill Ward, 262 East Canyon Road, with a viewing before the funeral from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  Interment will be in Providence Cemetery.   Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.net