Zenda Crandall

September 11, 1920 - June 20, 2020

Zenda Johnson Crandall passed away on June 20, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was 99 years old and just a bit shy of her 100th birthday. Zenda was born September 11, 1920, in Rupert, Idaho, the first child of Harvey Leon Johnson and Norma Martindale Johnson, and was educated in Idaho schools, moving with her parents to Boise when in her teens. She attended Boise Secretarial and Brigham Young University and was employed for several years by the State of Idaho. She married Sterling Meith Crandall on October 7, 1946, in the Salt Lake Temple; he passed away May 24, 1993. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Southern California, returning to Utah in 1976 at the time of his retirement. She was an executive secretary and worked in that capacity for a number of years for Hughes Aircraft Company and, locally, for a petroleum marketing firm, until she retired. Zenda was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave many hours of service to the church, in both ward and stake auxiliaries. She was an accomplished musician, serving more than sixty years as ward and stake organist in the various areas where they lived. She dearly loved her family and friends and enjoyed many hours with them. She received awards for her poetry, was invited on numerous occasions to share her extensive knowledge of Thomas Jefferson with various social groups, and the Los Angeles Times published one of her op-ed pieces. She had been a member of the Altrus Club, the Thalians, the Provo Fine Arts Club, and other church and community organizations. She is survived by six children and their spouses: Roger Crandall, Diane (Jeffrey) Johnson, Gary (Nani) Crandall, Kay Johnson, Carol (Shane) Swindle, and Steven (Rachel) Crandall, and by 17 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind a much-beloved sister, Marta (Joe) Lake. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and five siblings. Due to Covid-19, the family will have a much-abbreviated graveside service at 11:00am on Friday, June 26, at Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah. Those who attend are asked to wear face masks and practice social distancing. However, a celebration of her life will be held next year for all her extended family and her many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations to either the Red Cross or the LDS Church Missionary Fund are appreciated.