Nelly Madeleine Puenzieux Sanderson, 82, of Spanish Fork, Utah, passed away January 18, 2024, in Spanish Fork, Utah.
Nelly was born in the beautiful Alpine village of Lausanne, Switzerland, to Charles Benjamin Puenzieux and France Mathilde Dalloz on January 15, 1942. When ten years old, Nelly sailed with her mother and sister, Heidi, to the United States where they lived in Provo, Utah. She learned English at Franklin Elementary School. Later, the family moved to Manti, Utah where she attended Manti High School. 
After graduating high school, Nelly attended Snow College in Ephraim, Utah and later transferred to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. In 1963, Nelly served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Zurich, Switzerland where she shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ in both her native French as well as the Swiss German language. Upon returning home, she worked part time in the Manti Temple where she met Samuel Henry Sanderson who was there serving as an ordinance worker. They were married on August 31, 1967, in the Manti Utah Temple. Both were employed for most of their lives at the Manti Temple, often walking hand in hand to and from work.
Nelly raised 7 children, cooked wonderful meals, used her remarkable sewing skills to make clothing and costumes for her family, served faithfully in her Church and community, and treated everyone she met with kindness and respect. She made herself available as a chauffeur to family and friends who were not able to drive thus giving them a chance to stay active and be a part of their community. She always had a joke ready for friends and strangers to bring a smile to their day. Upon retirement, Mom served a second mission for her church in beautiful Nova Scotia, Canada (2007-2009). Afterwards, she spent her “retirement” days serving daily in the LDS temples, working on family history, serving in her Church and community and spending time with her children and grandchildren. Nelly’s faith and commitment to serving others and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been a strength to many, including and especially her family.
Nelly is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Samuel Henry Sanderson (1997). A few weeks prior to her passing, Nelly pointed at a picture of Henry near her bedside and stated, “He is just waiting for me.” We are grateful and happy for the knowledge that Mom and Dad have been joyfully reunited. Mom is now back to her active life with friends and loved ones who have welcomed her home (and where french fries, Diet Pepsi, and ice cream are always on the menu, and no one has ever heard of green things like broccoli).
Nelly is survived by her children: Nellie Jean Asplund (Scott), Stephanie Sanderson, Michelle Cybulski (Tim), Susan Crisp (Carl), Richard Henry Sanderson (Stacey), Phillip Samuel Sanderson (Rachel), Michael John Sanderson (Brooke); her sister, Heidi Taylor; 19 grandchildren, and 6.5 great-grandchildren.
The family of Nelly Sanderson wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses and caregivers who have loved and cared for Mom this past year: Aspen Ridge Home Health and Hospice doctors and nurses; and “Nelly’s Angels”: Angelica Martinez, caregiver; and all the caregivers from Right at Home In-Home Care. We would also like to thank the countless acts of service, love, and support from our “church family” in Maple Meadows 2nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The Viewing will be held from 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. January 27, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meetinghouse, 1850 South 2300 East, Spanish Fork, Utah, followed by funeral services at 11:00 a.m. at the same location, with Bishop Doug Flake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, officiating. Burial will be at Manti Utah City Cemetery.
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