Alene Andersen Draper

Alene Andersen Draper, 70, died September 1, 2026. She passed away at home in Kaysville, Utah, surrounded by loved ones.

Born February 6, 1956 in Brigham City, Utah, Alene was the third of seven children born to Dee & Frances Andersen. Coming after two sons, her parents proudly explained to others that they now had “two boys and a joy.”

Raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho; Vernal, Utah; and Bountiful, Utah, Alene always had a sense of adventure and was determined to keep up with her brothers. She excelled at playing the flute in the school marching band, completed the seminary program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and graduated from Viewmont High School in 1974.

Education would remain an important theme throughout Alene’s life. She was an avid reader, and made it a priority to stay informed on current events and new technologies. Her daughters were blessed to have her as a Joy School (preschool) teacher, a frequent elementary classroom volunteer, and later as a Seminary teacher. She was a weekly volunteer at the high school Career Resource Center, as well as a proctor for local AP tests, and consistently emphasized the importance of higher education to her daughters…although she was also fond of reminding them to “not let school get in the way of their education.”

After high school, Alene attended Brigham Young University and Utah State University, where she focused on fashion design. An incredible seamstress, she made the world more beautiful through countless homemade items, including baby blessing gowns, quilts, holiday dresses, prom dresses, and even wedding dresses. She was uniquely able to visualize things in three dimensions, was quick with numbers, and had an eye for color. Her daughters loved being able to respond to compliments by saying, “My mom made it.”

In 1979 Alene and Don Rulon Draper were sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple. The 47 years that followed were full of adventure, including raising four daughters, and time spent living in Utah, California, Texas, Minnesota, and Connecticut, before finally circling back to Utah after Don’s retirement. Of those, Minnesota held a particularly special place in Alene's heart, with the 27 years spent there defined less by the brutal cold than by the warmth of friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Together, Don and Alene made a formidable team. From home improvement projects to team teaching assignments; from covering hundreds of miles together on their “bicycle built for two,” to navigating Alene's illness, they uniquely complemented, challenged, and cared for each other. A conviction that families are forever has been the bedrock of their relationship and remains an incomparable source of comfort to their daughters and others Alene left behind.

Throughout her life, Alene was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faithfully served in many callings, including ward Primary and Relief Society President, and Stake Primary President, as well as serving for several years with the Church Education System as a Seminary Teacher and as a Stake Seminary Supervisor. She also completed a service mission working in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission office and was a temple worker at both the St. Paul Minnesota Temple and the Hartford Connecticut Temple. She especially enjoyed assignments that allowed her and Don to serve in tandem, including their time spent together working with the Minneapolis young single adult ward. Another particularly memorable assignment she and Don received was to spearhead one of the Sesquicentennial Celebrations for the Minneapolis Minnesota Stake in July 1997. In spite of severe weather warnings that day, the festivities were a success. Notably, the theme for that event perfectly captures how Alene lived her life: “Faith in Every Footstep.”

In general, Alene was known for her kindness, insightfulness, creativity, and industry: traits that blessed all those around her, especially those in her immediate family. Ultimately, her most cherished roles were those of wife, mother, and–perhaps most of all–grandmother.

Alene is survived by her husband, Don; her daughters, Melissa (Bryan), Karin (Ryan), Wendy (Chris), and Lynda (Brandon); 19 grandchildren: Daniel, Jared (Allie), Robyn, Amber, Joshua, Kathryn, Matthew, Andrew, Peter, Alexandria, Rockwell, Charlie, Coral, Eleanora, Truman, Barrett, Orion, Alayna, and Ian; her mother: Frances Andersen; and her siblings: Allen (Jill), Scott (Ruthann), Annette, Carter (Kathy), Charles (Kerri), and Chris (Laura). She was preceded in death by her father, Dee F. Andersen.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday September 9, 6:00 - 8:00 at Russon Brothers Mortuary (1941 N Main St., Farmington, UT).

Funeral services will be held Thursday September 10, 10:00 am at Haight Bench Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1650 S. 500 E. Kaysville, UT).

Zoom Link for Funeral Services provided by the ward: https://zoom.us/j/97847719814?pwd=bxFoAStCAo5G4VW0ENYNlYHP2dqi8e.1

Interment at Brigham City Cemetery.