On January 1, 2026 at 3:00am, Maida Anderson began her happy New Year by going to be with her sweetheart, Bob; something she longed for since his departure. It was made sweeter still because of the intense pain she has been experiencing recently.

Maida Anderson was born March 2, 1943, the third of four children to Nell Wilson and Edwin Stout in Hurricane, Utah. She was preceded in death by her older siblings Vern Stout and LaNita Meyers. She is survived by her younger sister, Connie Robinson, and half sister Monja Burgess. When Maida was young her family relocated to Tropic, Utah near Bryce Canyon National Park where she was raised.

When Maida was 16 she moved to California to live with her sister LaNita's family. While attending church there the bishop introduced her to a newly single man in the ward, Robert Anderson. They went on their first date to see The Absent Minded Professor and were married 3 months later on August 5, 1961. Bob and Maida brought their families together and at the age of 18 she was a mother to 6 children. They went on to add 9 more and raised 15 children together. Bob and Maida were sealed for time and eternity on February 22, 1964 in the Los Angeles LDS temple. Not only did Bob and Maida become partners in raising a prolific family, but they were partners in everything from building their homes, to growing their business, and serving the Lord.

Maida was preceded in death by her partner Bob and her first son Michael (Deann). She is survived by her fourteen other children: Steve (Diana), Christine Perry (Brent), Richard (Nancy), John (Alison), Kevin (Jolyn), Kim Stevenson (Mark), Kurt (Karen), Shaun Hiatt, Wendy Coplen, Keri Hensley (Vic), Jeff (Rainey), Kory (Amy), Kelli Murray (Kyle), and Kass Miles (Jerome). At the time of her death she had 84 grandchildren, 120 great grandchildren and 13 great-great-grandchildren. She had the unique talent of making each one feel deeply important. She did not have any requirements for what it meant to be successful. She wanted all of her descendents to be happy and follow their own path. To be with her was to know that you were accepted, loved and adored exactly as you were.

Maida was the kind of mom who was always there when you got home from school, would make food for you anytime of day, and always pick up when you called to nonjudgmentally help any way she could. She was a cheerleader in high school and went on to cheerlead for the rest of her life. She was cheering loudly at every event her children and grandchildren asked her to attend. When she no longer could physically attend she requested video footage of the performances she missed. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren and wanted to know about all of their endeavors. She was devoted to her family, friends and neighbors. She was also a devoted sister and a trusted confidant to many. She was the kind of person whose birthday cards were not quickly snatched from the rack, but always chosen carefully and were meaningful. A tradition she kept up with to the end.

She loved her family above all, but not a single day went by that she didn't read. She read books so quickly they looked untouched when she was done. She always had a puzzle out that she was working on and could be distracted from upholding bedtime if you were helping her. She was incredibly talented in crafting–making everything from Christmas stockings for her grandchildren to clothing for her children and even wedding dresses. Almost everyone will mention her food when remembering Maida, whether it was her grilled cheese sandwiches or her German pancakes. She loved family gatherings and vacations and didn't want anyone left out. As long as the family was together she didn't care if they were on a boat, at the sand dunes, or playing cards in her kitchen (during which she definitely took advantage of her senior status for "accidentally" cheating).

Maida also loved her Savior. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was a central part of her life. She served in many capacities in her wards as well as serving for ten years in both the Bishop's Storehouse and the Provo Temple after retirement. Maida taught her family about the love God has for them and prayed daily for every single one of her children. That loving relationship with God buoyed her throughout her life and served as an anchor through whatever life brought her. And no matter what life brought Maida, she was always thinking of others and quietly gave from what she had every chance she could.

The thing Maida wanted most over the last 3 years since her husband's death was to be with him again. She missed him every day and longed to see her best friend. She looked to him for guidance, love, and stability. Life was richer and more wonderful with Maida in it and her absence will be felt keenly.

To view the services online for Maida please click here. www.walkersanderson.com