Wanda Claunch Andrew

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Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Wanda Claunch Andrew, graduated from mortality on January 8, 2024 in Hyde Park, Utah and rejoined her husband, Merlin. She was born in Sterling, Idaho on June 7, 1926 to Everett Shelby and Ellen Eliza Christensen Claunch.  Wanda was proud to be 97½ years old.

After graduation from Aberdeen High School (Idaho), Wanda attended Utah State Agricultural College (USU) where she met Merlin L Andrew.  Soon after they met, Merlin told one of his brothers that he had met a new girl, “and she sure was pretty.”  One day they were both in the library and Merlin showed Wanda a lengthy list of attributes he wanted his future wife to have!  These expectations must not have bothered her because they were married in the Logan Utah Temple on August 2, 1946.

Soon after marrying, Wanda and Merlin wanted to start their family and were disappointed time and time again when three daughters (Sally, Suzan and Claudia) only lived a few hours and then passed away.  In 1952, after staying in bed for much of her pregnancy, Christi was born followed by four more children: Ted, Jill, Lori and Todd.  Tragedy struck in 1965 when Todd, age 5, died in a farming accident.  After this, Tim and Curtis were welcomed into the family.

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wanda served faithfully in all organizations and was a dedicated visiting teacher/ministering sister.  For three years, she served in the cafeteria at the Logan Temple.  Toward the end of her life it was difficult for her to attend the temple but she always had a current temple recommend.   Wanda stayed faithful, enduring to the end.  She wrote the following in her life history, “My journey through life as a member of the church has been on a busy road but I have enjoyed each calling I have had and am grateful for every opportunity.”

Wanda’s home was always warm and welcoming; a place everyone loved to be.  She was an excellent cook, meticulous seamstress, and an organized homemaker. She was always the last one to sit down to the table. She kept cookies in the cookie jar and homemade jam in the freezer.  Bottled produce from a large garden filled the storeroom shelves.  She beautified her yard with a variety of colorful flowers. Her life was spent serving and ministering to others.  One of her sons said he didn’t know brownies were soft; the only ones he had eaten were the hard crusts that were trimmed off and left at home for the family!  

Several years ago, after hanging pictures of all the grandchildren in a hallway, Wanda stood back and expressed happiness at having such a large family.  With each grandchild that married and great grandchild born, her joy increased.  There is no question that her love of family has kept her with us so long.

We would like thank Wanda’s nurse, Holly and her CNA, Lacie for their professional care.  They became dear friends. Leaving her home 18 months ago and moving into Autumn Care was one of the hardest things Wanda had to do in her 97 years.  Having a positive attitude, she made a lasting impression on both residents and staff and they blessed her life as well.

Wanda is survived by her children and their spouses:  Christi Jardine (Price, Utah), Ted and Kayleen Andrew (Trenton, Utah), Jill and Victor Israelsen (Young Ward, Utah), Lori Munson (Trenton, Utah), Tim and Tina Andrew (Pasco, Washington), and Curtis and Barb Andrew (Lehi, Utah).  She is proud to have 45 grandchildren (including spouses) and 58½ great grandchildren.  She is also survived by many special nieces and nephews that she loves very much.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin L Andrew, her parents, Everett Shelby and Ellen Eliza Christensen Claunch, four children (Sally, Suzan, Claudia and Todd Peter), son-in-laws Darel Lynn Jardine and Stanford Lovell Munson; and grandsons Matthew D. Jardine and S. MeRell Munson; sisters and brothers: Ella Mae, Laura, Bertha, Marie, Cecil, Walker, Everett Jr. (Bud) and Wayne. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024.  Viewings will be on Friday, January 19^th from 6 to 8 p.m. and before the service on Saturday from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  All services will be in the Trenton Ward Church (400 W 1200 N).  Interment will be in the Trenton Town Cemetery. 

Charitable donation may be made in Wanda’s name to Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital or to LDS Humanitarian Services.

Click the below link to view the livestreaming of the funeral service (passcode: 307228)

https://zoom.us/j/93545489609?pwd=SW02QStYTHN2dkMxQW4rV0pYYm5kdz09