Lindsey Anderson has loved puzzles for as long as she can remember. Her passion for puzzling runs deep, rooted in a family legacy. Her great-grandfather founded the Proudfit Picture Puzzle Co. back East, a small puzzle company that operated during the Great Depression. He provided jobs for his neighbors, running the business out of a basement where wooden puzzles were hand-cut with a saw. Today, Lindsey owns one of the three remaining puzzles from the company and hopes to find some long lost puzzles someday. She’s incredibly proud of the history and impact of their work.
Though she has only a few memories of her grandmother, most involve visiting her in Provo as a child. Her grandmother would place a bowl of Hershey’s Nuggets on the table and a puzzle in front of Lindsey. While her mom and grandmother chatted, Lindsey would immerse herself in puzzling. Her grandmother only had about three puzzles, but Lindsey completed them over and over, becoming quick and efficient.
Even as a child, Lindsey’s love for puzzles was clear. One year, she pulled every puzzle from her parents’ closet and assembled them all on the family room floor, lining them up until they were completed. She also has a few relatives who share her love of puzzling, and she often encourages them to join her in competitions when they’re able.
A fun connection in her life is her cousin’s husband, James Poai, a talented artist for Boardwalk Puzzle Company who previously worked with Eric Dowdle. He incorporates his children into his puzzle artwork.
Lindsey was born in Payson but has spent most of her life in Orem, with stints in Arizona and California. She is the proud mother of three boys: Collin (15), Noah (12), and Jackson (9). A single mom for over eight years, Lindsey dedicated much of her time to raising her children and working. They are still young but are finally old enough that she is starting to take some time for herself.
In 2024, she entered her first puzzle competition at Boardwalk, teaming up with her sister and niece. Despite being the only team of three, they placed fifth—a result they were proud of. The experience ignited a deeper passion for competitive puzzling, and Lindsey began attending every competition she could find, forming new friendships along the way.
In March 2024, she and her niece competed in Nationals in San Diego with just two weeks’ notice, and the experience was both fun and inspiring. Since then, Lindsey has competed in the Utah State competition, multiple Boardwalk events, and several small-town contests. In 2025, she was thrilled to participate in Nationals in Washington, D.C., and is now eagerly preparing to compete at Worlds in Spain later this year.
Utah Jigsaw Puzzle Association 