Nell (Bird) Andersen

Rozella Nell Bird Andersen, the best and most beautiful woman we know, passed away July 4, 2025. She was 85.

The eighth of 11 children, Nell was born June 17, 1940, in Garfield, Idaho, at the home of her grandparents. Her parents were Warren and Rozella Bird, and she was proud to be named after her mother.

Nell’s childhood could have come straight out of an all-American storybook. Her parents owned a 120-acre farm in Milo, Idaho, and she worked hard milking cows, picking potatoes, canning produce, and even setting canvas dams in ditches all by herself. Her family spent hours around the table talking about things that mattered most, and Nell grew spiritually as they prayed together, attended church, studied the scriptures, and served others. Her free time was filled with riding horses bareback, running (and winning) footraces, playing catch, swimming in the canal by their little farmhouse, and climbing the golden willow tree, where she’d eat green apples sprinkled with plenty of salt.

Nell attended school in Rigby and Ucon and at Bonneville High School. When she was 17 years old, she met John Andersen. The two were married March 21, 1958, in the Idaho Falls Temple. They moved to Provo, Utah, for John to attend Brigham Young University, but the pull back home was strong, and they ultimately settled back in Idaho Falls. Their marriage was one of balance-John was the kite flying high with big ideas, and Nell held the string that kept them grounded. The two of them raised six children while building their business, Andersen Manufacturing.

Nell loved serving her family. If anyone knew how to make a child feel loved, it was her. Every birthday and anniversary, she called. Every family function, she gave dozens of hugs and kisses. She often reminded her family that her greatest desire was that after this life, “each chair is filled” with every member of the Andersen family.

Nell is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions, including Relief Society president, stake missionary, temple-ordinance worker, and Boy Scout advancement chairman-she pushed hard for boys to get their Eagle Scout awards. She loved serving in all church organizations. Even after she could no longer serve, she made countless phone calls to check on others. She spoke frequently of her love of the gospel and her Savior. She knew families could be forever, and she worked hard to ensure hers will be.

Nell loved temple work, learning things on her computer, organizing family histories, gardening, and crocheting. She was the classiest of women with perfectly styled raven hair, impeccable outfits, and the most delicious perfume. She was fiercely devoted to her family and the most wonderful combination of sweetness and strength. Her spirited daughters and granddaughters are a testament to her influence as family matriarch.

Survivors include her husband, John; daughters, Debbie (Lamar) Stucki of Idaho Falls; Janet (Mike) Long of Iona, Idaho; Janell (Dave) Bingham of Idaho Falls; and Deanna (Dean) Ockerman of Idaho Falls; sons, Mike (Laura Lee) Andersen of Brigham City, Utah and Ryan (Jenny) Andersen of Ammon, Idaho; sisters, Lu (Ted) Berrett of Idaho Falls and Naoma (Jim) Gazdik of Springville, Utah; brother, Lewis (Kathleen) Bird of Idaho Falls; sisters-in-law, Shirley Bird of Idaho Falls, Phoebe Bird of Leadore, Idaho, and Shirlene Bird of Iona, Idaho; 34 grandchildren and 77 great-grandchildren, with four on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings, Alvin, Martha Ruth, Luella (Dick), Leroy, Alice (Lyle), Anna Marie, and James. For years, Nell looked forward to the reunion awaiting her in heaven-we trust it was every bit as wonderful as she imagined.

The family would like to express gratitude to Solace Hospice for the care they gave Nell.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 14, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 4030 John Adams Parkway in Ammon, Idaho. The family will visit with friends and family from 6-7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon, and Monday from 9:30-10:40 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Milo Cemetery.

Services will be broadcast live here .

Meeting ID: 982 3957 5877

Passcode: 046414