November 1, 1946 ~ July 30, 2021
Penny was born November 1, 1946 in Preston, ID to Osmyn Earl and Mary H. Kofoed Anderson, the first of six children. She lived in Clifton, Idaho until she was 8 years old. Then moved to Paris, Idaho until 5th grade. Moving to Nampa, Idaho where she lived until the end of 9th grade. Then the family moved to Pocatello, Idaho. Her father worked for Union Pacific Railroad. They moved so he would be able to spend more time with the family. Penny went to Pocatello High School until a new high school, Highland High School, was built where she graduated.
She attended Idaho State University for one semester. She then moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she graduated from LDS business college as a stenographer.
In December in 1967 she moved to Stockton, CA, and then two years later she moved to Modesto, CA. In 1974 she married Jerry D. Brackett and moved to Turlock, CA. She was employed by Emanuel Medical Center, Dr. Paul Burmingham, BB Prints, and Covenant Village of Turlock.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, First ward. She was a former relief society president, second counselor in the primary twice and young women’s leader.
She was predeceased by her husband Jerry, daughter Suzette, parents Oz and Mary Anderson, youngest sister Sandra Anderson-Roller and her dog Mugzy and cat Sally Ally. She is survived by her son Derrek Brackett, his wife Cynthia, grandsons Kody Brackett and Joseph Quaresma, granddaughters Tanner and Tyler Brackett, brothers Kevin (Melanie) Anderson, Kort (Brandi) Anderson, and Kim (Jane) Anderson, and sister Lezlie (Mitch) Simmons. Also survived by 12 nephews and 10 nieces that were all very special to her. She enjoyed having lunch/dinner with Lynn Wolfe and Connie Soderstrom. The last few years of her life she enjoyed spending time with Lee Montez. She experienced trips to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Yellowstone, the Canyons in Utah and Arizona. Traveled to Jerry’s birth state of Arkansas and traveling to Branson, Missouri along Route 66 and back the northern way through the Dakotas. She also enjoyed a trip to Chile, a cruise to Alaska and the Caribbean with special friends Lynn Wolfe and Connie Soderstrom. She enjoyed spending time at her Idaho house with family and friends. She read many books and liked to do word search. She liked watching Jeopardy, Criminal Minds, Dateline and 20/20. She loved reading the scriptures and used her kindle to read fiction. She organized and enjoyed a lunch group of former Covenant Village retirees the first Thursday of every month.
Penny was a very generous and giving person. She taught her grandchildren her giving ways during Christmas by giving them money to locate people in need so they would learn the gift of giving. Penny endured many health issues which started during high school until her passing. She always had a positive attitude and strong will and great sense of humor until the end. Knowing Penny, you knew she had the Anderson fight and protectiveness. She was never afraid to speak her mind and you better never speak ill of a family member. She never lived near her brothers and sisters but stayed close to them with the minimum of weekly phone calls. She loved her nieces and nephews and enjoyed their accomplishments.
Funeral will be held at Turlock Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 10:00a.m.
Condolences(2)-
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Todd Anderson says
August 10, 2021 at 5:51 pmDerrek and family, my condolences on the loss of your mom. Derrek, we met in 2nd grade at Julien School and soon found out that you lived about a block away from my grandparents at the time. Your mom also worked for our dentist, Paul Burmingham and she was always so nice to me. As the kid of divorced parents, Penny made me feel welcome and at peace, whether at the Dentist or at your house for a birthday party. Peace to her memory.
Janice Helmandollar Switzer says
August 3, 2021 at 2:01 amI enjoyed several fun visits to Uncle Oz and Aunt Mary’s in Clifton. Penny and I played paper dolls, of which she had major collection. We also took pretend tours in he Dad’s car. At Grandma Andersom’s we and other cousins played no bears are out tonight. We climbed her trees and had gum on our hands for days afterward. We lost touch after we moved to Phoenix but the memories are treasured.