Mala Anderson

Mala Kristine Jensen Anderson was born on September 9, 1953, in Rexburg, Idaho. During her childhood, she lived in several places in Idaho, including Rexburg, Weiser, Driggs, and eventually settled back in Rexburg, where she graduated from Madison High School. She was an excellent student and a friend to everyone who knew her.

Following high school, Mala studied and graduated in nursing from Ricks College in 1973. While studying she also met her husband, Kevin Anderson. Soon after marriage they moved to Utah where she worked for a time at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, Utah, before choosing to stay at home when her children began arriving. No matter where she was, you would find Mala anxiously engaged in good causes, whether it was taking care of the sick and elderly, sewing blankets for various causes, welcoming new neighbors into her home for dinner. Mala truly had a gift for making others feel welcomed and was loved by all who knew her, especially those she worked with at Madison Women’s Clinic and the many patients she served.

Mala was deeply committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and gave freely of her time serving in various roles within her church, including as Relief Society President, Counselor, Young Women’s President, and Cub Scout leader. Together with her husband, Kevin, Mala also served in several service missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including assignments in Richmond, Virginia; Pathways; BYU-I hosted missions; Church Headquarters; and the Ririe Welfare Farm. In 2020, Mala was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and was subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer in March 2024. In true Mala character, she endured its challenges with grace, humility, and without complaint. She passed away with her loving husband at her side on September 24, 2024.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Kevin Anderson, and her children: Sherman, Seth, Mallena Ricks, Daniel, Weston, Hyrum, and Kirill; her siblings, Lane Jensen, Kerry Erikson, and Kathleen Briggs. She also leaves behind 21 grandchildren and deeply special friends Moses Conteh and Laura Carvalho. She was preceded in death by her parents, Loy Jensen and Mona Keppner Jensen, as well as her son, Kairat Anderson; and siblings Julia Baxter and Kim Jensen.