Moonyeen Rigby Anderson

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Moonyeen Rigby Anderson passed away peacefully at age 87 on June 8, 2024 in Hyrum, Utah. 

Moonyeen was born on July 21, 1936 to Ross Price and Mette Geneva (Hansen) Rigby in Idaho Falls, Idaho and was the eldest of five children. Her parents took her name from a 1932 movie. The name is Gaelic in origin and means “My Girl” or “My Darling”. 

She grew up on the family farm; a 160 acre homestead on the western slope and in the shadow of the Tetons. The homestead was purchased by her parents on July 23, 1937 for the princely sum of $800.  Moonyeen’s earliest recollections of life by the Tetons was working with her parents to clear the land so it could be farmed. The farm work in her early years installed in her a love for gardening and animals. Throughout her adult years Moonyeen enjoyed spending time in her garden and teaching others the art of gardening. Moonyeen loved all animals. She had a particular soft spot for the feral kittens around their home in Wellsville…Moonyeen never met a feral cat she didn’t try to rescue.

She graduated from Teton High School in 1954. Her passion was dance and piano and she was remarkably skilled at both. She could play pieces by Chopin or Bach.  She excelled at dancing the Jitterbug and classic ballroom as well as exhibition dancing, alone or in a group. She attended Ricks College for two years before transferring to Utah State, graduating June 7, 1958 with a Bachelors Degree in Social work. Three days later on June 10, 1958 she was married and sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple to Richard Watkins Anderson for time and all eternity, sixty six years of which were recently completed. 

Moonyeen was known for her hardy handshake and self-deprecating humor…always answering the question of, “How are you doing?” with “Ornery as ever!”. Moonyeen never saw a task too difficult, when she was 7 months pregnant with Tina she decided to cut down a large tree from the backyard of their Los Altos home. Neighbors could see her up in the tree with a chainsaw  removing tree limbs.

A committed disciple of Jesus Christ, she read and listened to the scriptures and General Conference addresses throughout her life. She loved to speak about the gospel to others. She served in several leadership positions as Primary President, Young Women's President, and in the Relief Society Presidency. She especially loved working with cub scouts. Each week she began her cub meetings by joining the boys in a run around the block to quiet them down before starting their meeting. Moonyeen took emergency preparedness to a whole new level.  One of her favorite gifts to give young adults was a toolbox filled with items one might need in a crisis.  She had, above and beyond, a two year supply of anything needed for an apocalyptic type situation.  Anyone that knew Moonyeen knew exactly where to go if the World fell apart.  She also loved the temple and went regularly with her friend Marge Catale for years, it brought her great joy. She always desired to serve a mission in her later years, hopefully now she can fulfill that wish on the other side of the veil.

Moonyeen lived in Los Altos, California for some forty years where Richard was employed by Hewlett Packard.  His employment gave both of them the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world. Moonyeen loved the travel and attendant social contacts. She always had a knack for spotting individuals that seemed uncomfortable in a social setting and bringing them into a conversation group.  Moonyeen loved to talk to people whether she knew them or not. She never left a grocery store without making a new friend. They moved to Wellsville, Utah after Richard retired where they purchased a small farm that she truly loved.

Moonyeen and Richard shared a dedication to serving others and giving back. She often said, "to whom much is given, much is required.” Moonyeen opened the family home to those in need…infants moving through the adoption process, unwed mothers needing a surrogate mother, at-risk teens, and young adults striving for a better environment. Moonyeen’s name is commemorated on buildings and bridges as well as on various scholarships.

Moonyeen is the mother of six children: Deborah (David) Justesen, Michael (Mindy) Anderson, Rachelle (Peter) Ashby, Suzette (Brad) Eickman, Kjirstina Anderson, and David Anderson; fifteen grandchildren: Tyler (Kaitlin) Justesen, Alexa (Alex) Wheatley, Whitney Justesen, Devin Justesen, Michael Riley Anderson (deceased), London Anderson, Titan Anderson, Scottlyn Anderson, Lauren Ashby, Hannah Ashby, Nick Eickman, Ashley Eickman, Jackson Eickman, Trevor (Kayla) Anderson and Siri Anderson (deceased); five great-grandchildren: Jane Justesen, Ben Justesen, Asher Wheatley, Julian Wheatley, and Esther Wheatley; and she has four living siblings: Billy (Nora) Rigby, Sandra (Richard) Matson, Lawrence (Marsha) Rigby, and Toni (Richard) Berntsen. 

Service Details: Evening View is Monday, June 17th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center in Logan. Day of Service Viewing and Funeral will be held on June 18th at the 11th Ward Chapel, 48 W 1450 South in Wellsville at 10:30am Viewing followed by 12:00pm Funeral.  Interment at Wellsville Cemetery in Wellsville, Utah. Family and friends are welcome to make a donation in Moonyeen’s honor to the Alzheimer Disease and Dementia Center at Utah State University, The Huntsman Cancer Institute, or any Health-based Charity of choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com

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