LIFE HISTORY OF PARLEY LEAMAN VAN WAGENEN
PARLEY LEAMAN VAN WAGENEN
Parley Leaman Van Wagenen was born 10 Dec. 1894, in Midway, Wasatch
County, Utah to Edwin Van Wagenen and Alice Naomi Bronson. Parley was the fourth of nine
children in the family. He was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day-Saints on 27 June 1903. He became a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood.
Parley married LaVern Gunella Tucker on 30 July 1914 in Provo, Utah,
Utah. LaVern died of Cancer on 25 August 1927 in Salt Lake City, Utah and was buried 28
August 1927 in Provo, Utah, Utah.
LaVern gave birth to three children during her lifetime. These children
were Helen LaVern, Bernard Parley and Richard Frank. LaVern was baptized on 24 November
1907 and was an active member of the LDS church. She loved to sing, dance and was
especially talented in giving readings.
After the death of LaVern, Parley married Ellen Foulger Watson on 1
July 1928. Parley followed the grocery, meat-cutting and food distributing business all
his life. He excelled in this field. He rose from manager to supervisor to district
manager for Safeway Stores during which time he and his family lived in Salt Lake City,
Utah, Pocatello, Idaho and Lincoln, Nebraska.
In June 1937, he and his family moved west again establishing a home in
Reno, Nevada. He continued his chosen field and operated several businesses in Reno until
his death on 2 October 1955.
Parley was extremely talented as a salesman and merchandiser. He stood
a little over 6 ft. tall and was a well-built, handsome man. He was an excellent provider
for his family. He had many friends.
HELEN LaVERN VAN WAGENEN
Helen LaVern Van Wagenen was born 30 March 1915 in Midway, Wasatch
County, Utah to Parley Leaman Van Wagenen and LaVern Gunella Tucker. Helen was the 1st
of three children in the family. She was baptized a member of the LDS Church on 20 May
1923. The family moved to Provo, Utah and Helen attended grade School in Provo, Utah, Salt
Lake City, Utah; Pocatello, Idaho and Lincoln, Nebraska, where she graduated.
Helen attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where she met her
husband to be, LeRoy Earl Walker. Leroy Earl Walker graduated from dental school, married
Helen, and moved back to his hometown in Mullen, Nebraska where he set up his dental
practice.
Helen is an excellent homemaker, skilled in all the important parts of
homemaking and motherhood. She has three children, LaVern Mae, David and Lana Kay. All are
living in Mullen, Nebraska at the time of this writing.
BERNARD PARLEY VAN WAGENEN
Bernard Parley Van Wagenen was born 11 June 1919 in Provo, Utah to
Parley Leaman Van Wagenen and LeVern Gunella Tucker. Bernard was the second of three
children in the family. He was baptized a member of the LDS Church on 20 January 1934 in
Lincoln, Nebraska.
He attended grade school in Provo, Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah;
Pocatello, Idaho and Lincoln, Nebraska, where he graduated from Lincoln High School with
honors. He attended the University of Nevada in Reno, Nevada until his schooling was
interrupted by World War II.
Bernard received his call to enter the U.S. Army Air Force on 6
December 1941, (the day before Pearl Harbor) and graduated from flying school as a pilot
in June 1942. During the four years in the Air Force, he flew many types of air craft,
including heavy bombers, medium bombers and night fighters.
On completion of his time in the service in November 1945, he entered
the heating and air conditioning business as draftman, engineer and salesman. He attended
the University of Nevada while working full time in the air conditioning field and
received his B.S. in business administration including three years of engineering. He
became a member of the American Society of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.
In July 1953, Bernard moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where he continued
his profession in sales engineering with the Carrier Air Conditioning distributor. He did
advance work at the University of Utah.
He married Mary Patricia Young in the Salt lake Temple on 15 June 1956.
They have three children, Mary Catherine, Bradford Bernard, and Sharalin. They are all
active in the LDS Church.
Bernard has served in almost all phases of church work in the Sunday
School Superintendency, Stake and Ward MIA Superintendency, High Priest Group Leader,
Teacher in Sunday School & MIA, Scoutmaster, Explorer Leader, Counselor in Bishopric,
Guide on Temple Square and is presently serving as Bishop of the East Mill Creek 4th
Ward in Salt lake City, Utah. He is presently manager of Continental Air Conditioning,
Inc.
RICHARD FRANK VAN WAGENEN
Richard Frank Van Wagenen was born 4 April 1924 in Provo, Utah, Utah
to Parley Leaman Van Wagenen and LaVern Gunella Tucker. Richard was the 3rd of
three children in the family. He was baptized a member of the LDS Church on 20 June 1934.
He received his schooling in Lincoln, Nebraska and Reno, Nevada.
He enlisted in the Marine Corp. in 1941 where he rose to the rank of
Sargeant. He served for five years in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War
II. After World War II, he attended the Brigham Young University for a time and
re-enlisted in the Marine Corp. during the Korean War and served again on active duty in
Korea.
He is living in Salt lake City, Utah at the time of this writing.
GEORGE EDWIN VAN WAGENEN
George Edwin Van Wagenen, son of David and Julie Ann Provost Van
Wagenen was a loved and honored man by everyone that knew him: His business associates for
his honesty, friends and neighbors for the charitable love he showed toward them, his
family for his devotion, loyalty helpfulness and sound advice.
Edwin and Alice had many sorrows and reverses in their life time. The
death of four infants, a son George Edwin at the age of 43, who was accidently killed by
falling into an electric saw, and the death of Ida’s husband, Cecil Taylor, who was
killed in a car accident, leaving a month old baby, a four year old daughter and a two
year old son.
Edwin was a self made man with strong convictions of right and wrong
and lived according to the "Golden rule" Love thy neighbor and do unto others as
you would have them do unto you. His favorite sport was fishing and hunting. He built and
remodeled homes. At one time was an automobile salesman, manager consolidated wagon
machine Co. In Richfield, Utah and Salt lake city, Utah. He and his family spent most of
their Lives in Provo, Utah where he was buried.
EVERETT L. VAN WAGENEN
Everett L. Van Wagenen, married Viola Maria Crum, daughter of George
Oliver Crum and Rena Rasmussen. He is the owner and operator of a Printing shop and
Grocery store in Salt Lake City, Utah.
George Edwin married Karen Joy Alaniva on 8 June 1967.
BARBARA ANN SHURTLIFF HILL
Barbara Ann Shurtliff Hill was born in her parents home in Provo,
Utah, when she was five years old her family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she
attended school and graduated from South High School in 1957. During the years between
graduation and marriage she attended Brigham Young University, worked as a secretary and
teller for Zions First National Bank, and attended the University of Utah, plus being
employed in various part-time jobs. In the spring of 1964, two years after her marriage
she graduated from the University of Utah in the field of Speech and Hearing correction.
During this time her husband Jerry was employed by the United States Treasury as a
National Bank Examiner, and is now affiliated with the First Security Bank of Utah N.A. as
General Auditor.
Barbara and her husband are devoted to the church, spending many hours
in the Genealogy Library. They we married in the Marlborough Ward in Salt lake City, Utah
and received their Endowments in the Manti Temple where they were married for Life and
Eternity.
ARTHUR LeROY VAN WAGENEN
Arthur Leroy Van Wagenen was born and raised in Provo, Utah. The
schools attended were the Timponogas, Provo High School, B.Y.U. and years later 1957 Weber
State College, where he specialized as an Electronic Technician which later became his
profession, having worked in the Z.C.M.I. in Salt Lake City, owner of his own store
(Grocery & Meat), manager of Sewell’s and MacMarr Chain Stores, Personal director
in a Defense Depot, also salesman for Beech Nut Gum.
Arthur played the Saxaphone and Clarinet in a dance Orchestra for many
years and was asked frequently to entertain in singing groups. His favorite recreation was
fishing, hunting, dancing, photography, and carpentry.
He and his wife, Wanda were active in church organizations, working
together as Ward, Stake and Region dance instructors. They taught and directed the dances
for the first dance festival ever presented in the Ogden Area. They also worked together
as Genealogy Chairman, and Chairman of Fund Raising Ward Dinners, also parties for
Bishopric’s and Stake Presidents. At present they are Ordinance Workers in the Logan
Temple.
Arthur served five years in the Bishopric of the Mount Ogden Ward. Many
years as Superintendent of Stake and Ward Young Mens Mutual Improvement Association,
Senior Aaronic Chairman, Ward Chorister, President Elders Quorum, Assistant Group Leader
in the High Priest Quorum.
In April 1959 Art and Wanda were given special honors for their devoted
and untiring service to the church, and won many prizes for their Ballroom dancing.
JEAN VAN WAGENEN BOREN
Jean Van Wagenen Boren was married by Bishop Romney in her parents
home. Although she married out of the church, her husband is a wonderful father and
husband. They have five beautiful talented children and all active church members. Their
son Jim is now serving his country in the Air Force and is stationed in Japan. He and his
sister Gayle graduated from the Bonneville High School and also from Seminary, Gayle is
talented in music, playing the accordion and voice, Kenneth plays the electric Guitar.
Gregory and Wayne have nice voices and have sung solos in many church gatherings.
Jean’s occupation is not only housewife and mother but a loving,
kind, helpful neighbor always charitable to those in need. Jean enjoys making her home
attractive and a place for her children to bring their friends. Jean always enjoys music
and has a nice voice. Before her marriage she worked at a defense plant, and Kelly’s.
Jean was known for her expert ability to skate and dance. Jean and Arvil enjoy a closeness
and unity in their family that is rarely found in most families.
ROBERT LeROY VAN WAGENEN
Robert LeRoy Van Wagenen received his Bachelor of Arts, majoring in
French at the University of Utah, having attended Madison School, Central Junior High,
Ogden High School, Weber College and the Brigham Young University. He joined the United
States Air force in 1954 and is now a Captain stationed in San Antonio, Texas, as a
Special Agent of Investigation.
Robert filled a mission in France in 1949-1952. He served on the High
Council in Norfolk, Virginia, Branch President in Okinawa and at present he is in the
Bishopric of the Second Ward in San Antonio, Texas.
Robert was blessed with a beautiful Baritone voice which he uses for
the enjoyment of the church gatherings as well as benefits for the church. He studied in
Paris, France with Mme. Margarite Liszt, in New York with Dr. William Herman, teacher of
Metropolitan Opera Stars, and has sung many leading roles in Civic Opera Productions,
community theaters, Choral Society’s and special concerts.
CHARLENE VAN WAGENEN
Charlene Van Wagenen was born in Nephi, Utah. At the age of seven she and her family moved to Ogden, Utah where she attended Madison and Pelk Elementary Schools and Central Junior High. After graduating from Ogden High School, she attended Brigham Young University two years. After her marriage to Richard she began a career as an Air Force Officer’s wife. During the next eleven years she was very active in music both in church and civic organizations. She was a member of the San Bernardino Civic Light opera, Mormon Choir of Southern California, Centre Little Theatre, and has served as Music Director in both Ward and Stake Organizations. She received her Golden Gleaner award in 1963. What should have been a three year tour to Alaska terminated in 23 days with the sudden death of Richard in an airplane crash at Cape-Lisburne, Alaska. Since returning to her home in Ogden, she has taken up skiing again and has become active as Blazer Leader in Primary, is presently a member of the Ogden Symphonic Choir, and sings as a soloist for many ward and stake organizations throughout the city.
LYNN GRIGGS VAN WAGENEN
Lynn Griggs Van Wagenen, was named after his Great Great Grandfather
Thomas Cott Griggs, who composed the Tabernacle Choir theme song "Gently Raise the
Sacred Strain." He received his Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Mechanical Engineering,
his minor being Business Administration, at Weber State College, he will continue his
studies at the University of Utah, working for his Masters degree.
Lynn served three years in the Finnish Mission, where he met and
converted his wife to the church. Lynn is an enthusiastic sport fan having participated in
basketball, softball, golf, wrestling, and baseball.
Lynn studied piano for several years and has a very good singing voice.