WOODSTOCK — After a long struggle with chronic health issues, Susan Albrechtsen Anderson peacefully stepped forward into the next life on Friday, (July 19, 2019) with her husband Bruce and other family members by her side at her home in Woodstock.

Susan lived a life full of service to family members and friends.

Susan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 31, 1947. She graduated from Clearfield High School as its first National Merit Scholar and attended Brigham Young University where she met her future husband. She graduated from Weber State College in Elementary Education with a minor in German.

She and Bruce were married in Salt Lake City on June 27, 1968 and they moved together to Chicago later that year. She taught elementary school for two years before starting her all-time favorite job as a full-time mom to a family that grew to include six children. She and Bruce called Normal home for over 40 years, where he worked as a dentist and Susan kept the books for the practice.

Susan connected easily, loved deeply, served freely, and countless lives were blessed by her friendship. She was active in her church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her entire life, and gave much service there and in the community. She was a true example of Christlike love, always thinking of others before herself.

Susan will be sorely missed but we know she is in a wonderful place and that this separation is only temporary. Our Christian belief teaches that marriage continues after this life, into eternity, so the 51 years of marriage she shared with Bruce is just a beginning.

Susan is survived by her husband, Bruce, Woodstock; four sons, Taylor (Teresa), Gilbert, Ariz., Trent (LaRae), Gilbert, Ariz., Grant (Alena), Mesa, Ariz., and Garrett (Jeanie), Woodstock; two daughters, Julia (Brent Crenshaw), Woodstock, and Carma (Ian Sheehan), Mildenhall, England; 25 grandchildren; brother, Howard Albrechtsen (Donette), Normal; step-mother Lila Albrechtsen; two step-brothers, Stan (Nancy) Seely and Earl (Natalie) Seely; and four step-sisters, Naomi (Kent) Robinso, Susan (Michael) O'Keefe, Merrilyn (Dee) Gledhill, and Kathryn Seely, all of Utah.

She was preceded in death by her son, Nephi Anderson; her parents Howard and Julia Albrechtsen; a brother, Carl Albrechtsen; sister, Laurie Jane (James) Hebert; and step-brother, Loyd M. Seely.

We will be holding two memorial services to celebrate her life, on Monday, at 6 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1628 W Hovey Ave, Normal, and Tuesday at 7 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2016 Hartland Rd, Woodstock. All six of her children will be in attendance at both services, and there will be time to visit with the family after both services. Feel free to bring, send or post written memories, pictures, etc. for the family to add to their memories of this amazing lady. There will be no conventional viewing, funeral, or graveside service, as she and Bruce (when his time comes) have both chosen to donate their bodies for use by medical researchers, in hope that they can continue to improve the lives of those around them.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Susan's memory can be made to The Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which funds emergency response efforts around the world (https:/www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services/funds/humanitarian-general-fund).