About Arben Kay Andersen
Arben Kay Andersen passed away peacefully October 19, 2020, with his family by his side. He is survived by his loving wife Peggy Ellis Andersen of 52 years, daughter Camille Terice Andersen Kipp (Charles), daughter Heather Jo Andersen Anderson (Richard), son Brock Arben Andersen (Layne), daughter Staci Nicole Andersen Vega (Bacho), and daughter Ashlee Dawn Andersen Watson (Jason). Arben has 18 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Elvira Andersen and grew up with three sisters and one brother.
Arben was a lifelong, devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All who knew him witnessed that he has a strong testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. Arben and Peggy were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 7, 1968 for time and all eternity. He held many positions in his service to the Lord, including a two year mission in the California-Nevada area.
Arben was a wonderful, fun-loving, and caring man. One of his favorite activities was going to the beach house at Capistrano Beach with the family and “just relaxing”. He was quick to make friends and all who knew him loved being around him.
Arben was a founder and owner of a number of different businesses. He worked very hard so that he could provide for and care for his family, which was his main focus and greatest love in his life. Arben loved his children, grandchildren, relatives and friends and cherished the time he spent with them. Although Arben was sick for many years, he selflessly made it a point to check in with his loved ones often. Arben had a gift of making others feel both included and loved and he always found a way to make ordinary activities more fun.
We as his family have so many memories of his generosity, loving counsel, inspirational examples of truth and right and his fun-loving personality. We will miss his charisma, courage, determination and generosity. His shining example of kindness and integrity have given us a true standard to follow. We miss you so much already Arben and look forward to the day when we will see you again.
Graveside services are Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 12:45 PM at San Tan Memorial Gardens, 22425 E. Cloud Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85142.
Honoring Your Loved Ones
Condolences
18 comments
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Dear Peggy and family, I never had the privilege of knowing you here, but I served in the Caifornia mission with Arben, and he was everything I have read about him this morning. God bless you all and how I, too. loved this good man. Lew Bunnell, Twin Falls, Id
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Im saddened to hear of Arbens passing. I worked at ENUF in customer service from 1991 till the very last day. It was a wonderful learning experience & I made many life long friends there. I have many fond memories of the Anderson family. Especially day to day Memories of Arben, Peggy & Heather! Arben, may your family find comfort & peace knowing that FAMILIES are FOREVER & may God be with you till we meet again
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Sweta and I are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your beloved dad. We may be distanced by the vast space and time that separates us physically but especially today, our hearts and minds stand together with yours united by pain. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as we offer our deepest and most sincere condolences. In this hour of sorrow, we are truly humbled to know about him; what he went through in the last few years reflects his inner strength that was comforted by the warm love that he received from you all. His simple yet exemplary life is truly a great example of what the peak of human will power and perseverance can be. His attitude of keeping the fight ON till the end and the entire family’s collective never ending support and the never give up spirit is truly commendable. Our prayers go out to you and your family in this difficult time and seek prayers to the divine lord that may his noble soul rest in peace and also to give you all the much needed strength and courage to bear his physical absence. Take Care, Respectfully and Sincerely, Sweta and Mausam Mishra India
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Peggy and Family, Oh I hope you know how loved you are. Bishop Andersen is a part of us. His kindness , generosity and sweet spirit , helped teach us and showed us the way. We have been truly blessed by him and your family!! Peggy you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers Love Bob and Marge Deeds
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We moved into the WC 6th ward in the Spring of 1989. We will never forget taking a midnight walk around the neighborhood only to run into Bishop Andersen in front of his Sitka home. We talked for over an hour. From that moment on, we became great friends! We will never forget his endearing wit, his universal kindness and his loving service to our family, our ward and the neighborhood.
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Dear Andersen Family, We can never thank you E.N.U.F for sharing Bishop Andersen with our ward and neighborhood. A favorite memory was when his name was read in over the pulpit to be sustained as our new bishop. We were sitting in the overflow and you could hear a loud rush of comments “Who is Arben Andersen??” We were fortunate to have met him through Heather (cute new blond in the neighborhood) who gave Steven Holt and my son Clark rides because she had access to a car and was driving. Years later when he was released, there was not a soul in the congregation who did not know and LOVE Bishop Andersen and his family. I was serving in the Primary at the time and the children adored him. They sat reverently when he came in on Fast Sundays and expressed his love and told stories. He had a magnetic personality and a smile that warmed your heart. His generosity included every youth & parent being able to purchase ENUF sweatshirts and gear for cost, he always let the YM & YW use his commercial truck to haul supplies to camp or youth conferences, he donated t-shirts for events, gave Christmas gifts, invited ward gatherings to his home, and of course Peggy was always the perfect hostess. We remember Peggy’s sweet testimony as she taught the ward gospel doctrine class. Our thoughts are with you at this time and our hearts are heavy. Please remember that the world is a better place with the family and legacy he is leaving. God Bless Him Until We Meet Again.
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Dear Peggy and Family: We are so sorry to hear of Arben’s passing. I had the blessing and privilege of knowing him in two aspects of his life – banker and businessman and valued client was my first exposure and then neighbor and fellow ward-member was next. No matter the role, Arben was ever a true professional and gentleman and conducted himself with integrity and with sincere concern about the people involved. He could always be counted upon to bring rationality and warmth to any situation, crises or not. He was always a friend first and foremost. We send our admiration, respect, love and appreciation for him and his life. Please accept our sincere condolences. We know that he was always an exemplary and committed main of faith and the consequences in the eternities will most certainly bring blessings of joy and peace to you at this time of separation. Doug and Michi Matsumori
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Dear Peggy and family, We are so very sorry to hear of Arben’s passing. He was such a great Bishop and friend. Hoping your sweet memories of him will help through these upcoming hard times. Praying for peace and solace for your family. All our love The Stidhams
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We pray for your family for comfort and peace. Arben was an amazing Bishop and one that we will always remember as a very special person. We talk of him often as someone who impacted us and our boys lives for the good. So many stories he had to share and always showed his love for all. He will be greatly missed. Love, Rock and Suzanne Boyer
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Dear Andersen family: Deanna and I moved to the ward just as Arben’s time as bishop was winding down, but we recognized a goodness in him that came from the inside out. We join our faith with yours and give thanks for the knowledge separation from our loved ones is temporary. May your memories bring laughter and peace in the coming days, and may the faith that Arben demonstrated become knowledge, in new and powerful ways.
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Dear Peggy and family, We are saddened to learn of your loss. Arben has been a strong, positive influence in our lives. I can’t believe it was clear back in 1988 when we first met! Our whole neighborhood was filled with families and individuals growing and achieving and experiencing life’s challenges and satisfactions. As our Bishop, Arben helped us recognize the sweet and good, and to deal with disappointment and sadness. He helped guide us in the right way to be happy. He trained us to avoid pride, and demonstrated humble service in the Lord’s kingdom. We’re sorry that your family experienced the brunt of his time commitments as Bishop. What a great example, and a great friend. I will long remember the sign in his office: “The harder I work, the luckier I get”. And his use of that “old Chinese proverb”. I am so grateful for my long phone conversation with Arben 3 weeks ago, when I felt his vibrant spirit again. We will be friends, and brothers, forever. Our family wishes you peace and comfort in the difficult days and weeks ahead. With our love, the Richard Bay family
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As a family, our hearts ache – just learning of Arben’s passing. Peggy, and your wonderful family, we express our deepest sympathies and want you to know you ARE in our thoughts and prayers. Arben was gifted in so many areas, and made such a difference in our lives. When we were blessed to have him serve as our bishop in the Willow Creek 6th Ward, our lives were made better by his incredible, lasting, positive, loving influence. From the first time I met Arben until the last time we had the privilege of seeing him, his smile and his stature truly inspired us. So now, we will always remember this great man and his wonderful family, and give thanks for our association. And by-the-way, we think his middle name is pretty cool! Love, the Duane Kay Barson family.
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Dear Family, This is hard news to hear. Everything written in your memory of his is true. We could also add a wonderful neighbor, a giving and noble soul. Life is always a curving path. The things you never imagine happening sometimes do. Arben always persevered and braved his way through many things; with Peggy right there with him all the way. Beautiful teamwork! Our hearts are sad at this news, but know this family will gather round and take care of one another. We both commented this morning how we remember him with such good and pleasant thoughts. We know the Savior is with all of you at this time. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Russell and Pattie Heaton
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Dear Peggy and family. So sorry to hear of Arbins passing. I know it’s a big relief to see our loved ones finally at peace. Ted has been gone for two years now after some very trying years. However I don’t think it was anything like Arbin went through. Ted dearly loved Arbin and always spoke of him so fondly. May you feel our Saviors arms around you and particularly His love. My love to you all. Jan
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What an amazing Bishop and friend! We learned so much from him. Sending love and prayers to all of you! Thank you family for sharing him with us! We love you all! Love, the Slaughs
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I am so sad and shocked to hear of Bishop Andersen’s passing. I know first hand of his generosity and love. He was a great bishop and friend to all. He loved the hymn “Because I have been given much” and I can never hear it without thinking of him. He was a great example of the words in that hymn. My prayers and thoughts go out of his family and friends. He is missed.
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Bishop Andersen will always be a favorite of mine. He was my bishop when I was a youth and I can still remember his smile, happy, fun loving personality, generosity and caring. He definitely was a good man and I’m honored to have known him and his family. I’m so sorry for your loss and pray you will be given added strength to get through this. I know you will see him again. God bless your family!!
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Peggy and family, We were so sad to hear of Arben’s passing. We were so glad we got to talk to him just 3 weeks ago. Arben and all of you have had an eternal influence for good for us. We live you all and send our condolences and gratitude. May the Lord be with you during these challenging days and weeks. The Taylors.
