Laurie Andersen

Laurie Andersen, also known as Bro A. and Punka, took the next necessary step from mortality to immortality on the evening of July 19, 2026. He passed in a room full of love and laughter surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 81.

Laurie was born a Kiwi in Hamilton, New Zealand on September 20, 1944, to Harold Authur Andersen and Mona Green. He loved his native country and never tired of sharing stories of his childhood and teenage years in the land of the long white cloud. Laurie attended the Church College of New Zealand where he played rugby and was voted student body president by his peers. During his time at the Church College Laurie was taken in by the Bill and Evelyn Perriton family, and there he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He returned to his homeland several times throughout his life and always held his New Zealand family and roots close to his heart. One of his favorite sayings was Kia Kaha!, Māori for “Forever Strong!”

Laurie served in the Northwestern United States Mission from 1964 to 1965 and treasured the friendships he made with his companions and the people he served in Oregon and Washington. He especially loved serving his fellow missionaries as an assistant to the president at the end of his mission. Following his mission service, he proposed to Carol Lyn Byrnes on their first date. He married the love of his life, and they were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on August 18, 1966. Laurie graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in 1973 and was an avid lifelong BYU fan. In fact, he would want all University of Utah fans to stop reading now and repent.

Laurie chose a life of service and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a Church Education System teacher. He was a beloved seminary teacher at Kamas High, Layton High, the Church College of New Zealand, Morgan High, Bonneville High, Roy High, Snow Crest Junior High, and an institute teacher at Weber State University. If you ever sat in Bro. A’s classroom, you knew him for his incredible energy, his humor, and a brightness that filled the room. His object lessons were legendary and his passionate sincere love for the Gospel blessed the lives of those he taught. He genuinely made every single person who walked through the door feel uniquely seen, valued, and loved. When he said he loved you he meant it.

After retiring from the Church Education System, he served a mission with his wife to Mexico, Mexico City North from 2007 to 2008. He did not let his limited knowledge of the Spanish language stop him from sharing the gospel with the people of Mexico. In his latter years he spent countless hours completing family history work for his ancestors on the other side of the veil.

Not just in his classrooms, but in his everyday life, Laurie lived his testimony of his Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ in the way he served, spoke, and lived his life with joy! The Lord blessed and preserved Laurie’s life many times. He survived a major car accident on his first mission, recurring cancer, and a major stroke in 2018. While his stroke left him physically unable to work, serve, and bear his testimony the way he wanted, he taught us all how to keep working until our work on earth is finished.

All celebrations and services will be at the Morgan Stake Center, 355 N 700 E, Morgan.

There will be a celebration of his life held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

There will be an additional celebration of life held on Monday, July 27, 2026, between 9:30am - 10:30am.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 am.

He is survived by his wife Carol. Sisters: Carol Larsen (Orewa, New Zealand) and Robyn Dennis (Greenhithe, New Zealand). Children: Shane and Michelle Andersen (Henefer, Utah), Lance Andersen (favorite) (Morgan, Utah), Lisa Hill (South Ogden, Utah), Cody and Carie Andersen (Vancouver, Washington), Jared and Deanne Andersen (Uintah, Utah), Brandon Andersen (Morgan, Utah), Darla and Mike Jons (Arimo, Idaho), Derek and Keli Andersen (Morgan, Utah), and Devron and Genna Andersen (most handsome) (Mendon, Utah). Forty-six grandchildren and Eighteen great-grandchildren, with more on the way!

An obituary for Laurie Andersen would not be complete without it ending like this:

In lieu of flowers: start rooting for BYU and please bring a letter to his funeral, make a post, or send an email to Laurie’s family sharing your thoughts or memories of him, what he meant to you, and/or your testimony. Facebook: Laurie Andersen. Email: thechurchistrue.broa@gmail.com