Wagenen, Van

Norman Van Wagenen

1922-2012

Norman LaMar Van Wagenen, the world’s greatest husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on his birthday December 27, 2012 at his home after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s.  His loving tender care was provided by his faithful wife.  He was born in Midway, Utah to Monroe Van Wagenen and Anna Berdine Cox.  Although early in life he spoke his own language and throughout his life he was a creative speller, his ability to communicate love was unsurpassed.  He always looked for the positive and found a way to laugh even during the hardest times.  He married his sweetheart, Montess Pehrson, on August 4, 1947 and later they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.  Their love affair continued for the next 65 years.  He was a mechanical genius, master craftsman, accomplished inventor, repairman extraordinaire, notorious jokester, and devoted husband and father.  Norman served in the 9 ^th Army Air Force during WWII and the stories about his service, his days as a butcher and bus driver and life in general captivated everyone who had the pleasure of his company.  For 40 years he was the owner and life-blood of the Norman Company machine shop, where he was able to mesh his love of machines with his spirit of innovation to produce metal works of art.  He was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully wherever he was asked.  All his accomplishments created the backdrop for his greatest success and source of joy, his wife and family of 8 children, 42 grandchildren and 64 great grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed.  Survived by his wife Montess and children: Vicky (Ken) Fox, Ginger (Clay) Lantz, Susan (Randy) Fitts, Peggy (Brad) Brown, Sherri Gregory Van Wagenen, Tammy (Stephen) Lemperle, Julie (Mike) Dibble, and Mont (Amy) Van Wagenen.  Preceded in death by his parents, his older brother Calvin Van Wagenen, his oldest son Lamar Van Wagenen, and his grandsons Adam Van Wagenen, Trevor Asper, and Brian Buttars.

Services for Norman will be held Wednesday January 2, 2013 at 12:00 pm at the Kimball Ward building, 2280 South 300 East.  A viewing will be held Tuesday January 1 from 6 to 8 pm and 11:00 to 11:45 am the morning of the services at the same location.  Interment Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

Online condolences www.cannonmortuary.com.

Daddy, we love you.