Andrea Catherine Johanna (ANDERSON) MUNSON was born in Hjorring, Nordjyland, Denmark in 1851. She is the oldest daughter of Jens Christian Anderson and Margaret Christiansen Nielsen. The Anderson family left Denmark June 1857 and immigrated to the United States as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The family traveled on the Westmoreland Ship from Liverpool to a US port and then by train to Iowa. Andrea's father built two sturdy handcarts. The family & grandparents walked with 500 other handcart saints also seeking to gather with other church members. They pushed and pulled handcarts across 1,300 miles of flat sandy land, across streams, and climbing rugged mountains. Little Andrea was only five years at this time. She walked every single day across the barren land from Iowa until they reached the Utah Territory in September. Later, after winter the Andersons' settled in little hamlets farther south. These pioneers helped each other build "dug-outs" and then more secure homes in a mostly harsh environment! Andrea was an eager learner! She learned to read and write using a homemade slate board from the nearby temple hill. Andrea Catherine Johanna ANDERSON married James W. MUNSON and they had nine children, five of these children survived infancy. A younger daughter, Mina Margaret lived to tell/write her mother's legacy. Andrea lived a very humble life! She had nothing of worldy value except a few photos. She was self-educated from reading the Holy Bible. Andrea's home became a "school" for her children. She showed them love, true honesty, a strong work ethic and respect for all forms of life! Andrea was self-supporting all of her adult life, but was never down-hearted! Her wish was that there would be better times for her posterity. She and her children maintained a small farm, sold eggs, butter, lye soap and wove rag rugs. She respected the Indians that independently traded her quilts and left dried vension. She depended on her sons who singly, built her a little two-room house in Circleville. Andrea took increased inner courage to apply for a legal divorce from Mr. Munson in 1900 (US Federal Census 1900, Circleville, Piute, UT). Andrea was gentle and loved by those that knew her well. She donated her time, tithes, and teaching talents to the work of the Lord. She was involved in the Primary, teaching the children the stories and songs about Jesus. She was a Primary President up until the last days of her illness (symptoms of stomach cancer). She possessed a pure belief in the holy priesthood health blessings that she had received from her son and the elders. She passed from this life into the heavenly realms in full faith in the resurrection! She willed the values of unfaltering loyalty to her family. She was always hard-working, and possessed the traits of a "natural teacher". Andrea was known as "beloved" and "peacemaker". Written by: Carol Ann McPheeters, great grand daughter, (Mina Margaret(Munson)Waugaman's grand daughter).