Gunvor Elisabet Anderson

Gunvor Elisabet Hagerstrom Anderson, 98, of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on July 22, 2023.
She was born on March 5, 1925, in Stockholm, Sweden, to Harald Wilhelm Hagerstrom and Mary Elisabet Hadell Hagerstrom. She was the third of their 4 children.
Gun was a bright and happy child. Eager to learn, Gun was the first in her class in both Primary and Secondary School. She graduated from Stockholm University in Economics. As part of her education, Gun was fluent in three languages, German, French, and English, as well as her native Swedish. Later in life she devoted several years to studying Japanese. Gifted athletically, Gun enjoyed the winters cross-country skiing and speed skating. She was competitive and was always proud of the medals she won for her speed skating abilities.
After graduating from University, Gun worked for the Police Academy in Stockholm as a secretary, where she was outnumbered by the many policemen- all vying for her attention. She then worked for the Silja Line, a Swedish trans-Atlantic and trans-Baltic cruise line, as a secretary.
An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gun was called as a missionary by President Blomquist in 1946. She was the first sister missionary called in Sweden after WWII. Gun served by helping to organize the Primaries and Relief Societies in the wards and branches throughout Sweden. It was while on her mission that she met her future husband, Grant Anderson, a fellow missionary, at a zone conference in Malmo, Sweden.
After emigrating to the US in 1948, Gun and Grant were married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 23, 1949. They were later blessed with three children.
Gun faithfully served in many capacities for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. An avid genealogist, she spent countless hours researching her ancestry and going to the temple to perform vicarious ordinances for her kindred dead. Gun and Grant were excited to serve a second mission to Sweden as a senior couple in 1997. They were an energetic and positive influence and kept right up with the younger elders and sisters.
Gun was known for her elegant “European” style of decorating her home. It reflected her love of beauty and antiques. She loved flowers and always had fresh flowers placed prominently in her immaculate home. She was always elegant and refined in her dress, even well into her 90’s. She had the best legs of anyone!
Gun and Grant often hosted Swedes and other foreign visitors in their home. Gun was a gracious hostess and easily charmed her guests.
Her emphasis on Swedish culture instilled a love for all things Swedish in Gun’s children, in-laws, and grandchildren. Swedish Christmases were the highlight of the year with traditions shared and delicious food prepared; especially fragrant bulla (cardamom buns), pepparkakor (Ginger crisps), and meatballs, lots and lots of meatballs, -to name just a few.
Gun was a fabulous grandmother. She was known as “Mormor” and “Farmor” to her grandchildren. She showered each grandchild with love and attention. She made visits memorable and cherished. The children were such a light in her life. Gun in turn was dearly loved by each one and will be greatly missed. She was also close to many nieces and nephews, always showing her love for them and keen interest in their lives.
Gun is survived by her three children, Gary (Lorna) Anderson, Susan (David) Tollstrup, Tim (Kyoko) Anderson, 6 grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren, as well as one brother, Bengt Gustafsson of Stockholm.
Gun was preceded in death by her husband, Grant, her parents, and her siblings, Stig (Vera) Hadell, Birgit (Arne) Roner, and Inga-Lill (LaVar) Best.
 
A graveside service will be held Friday, August 4th, at 1:30 pm at Memorial Holladay Cemetery 4900 S Memory Lane, Holladay Utah, 84117.
Family and Friends may visit Thursday evening, August 3rd, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Holbrook Mortuary. 3251 S 2300 E. Salt Lake City, Utah, 84109
The family would like to thank Aspire Hospice, particularly Rose and Crystal, for their kind and tender care and guidance during the final chapter of Gun’s life.
A special thank you to Tim Anderson, Gun’s son, who attentively assisted Mom and lovingly watched over her for the last three and one half years of her life. We are so grateful to you, Tim. We love you.
Service Information
Viewing August 3, 2023 at 6:00-8:00 pm
Holbrook Mortuary 3251 South 2300 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84109





Graveside Service
August 4, 2023 at 1:30 pm
Memorial Holladay Cemetery 4900 South Memory Lane Holladay, Utah 84117