Kim Van Wagenen

(Click here to listen)
*Violin music: Meditation from Thais by Massenet performed by Kim's wife Nola

IN LOVING MEMORY OF KIM JOSEPH VANWAGENEN: (Nov. 30, 1954 to Oct. 20, 2017)

It is with great mixed emotions of deepest sorrow, yet at the same time great rejoicing for him to be free of his earthly pains and suffering of even 26 years, as we announce the passing of our dear cherished, beloved husband, father, brother, nephew, uncle,, friend, neighbor, even devoted follower of Jesus Christ: Kim Joseph VanWagenen.

Kim is survived by his loving mother: Esther Beverly Perkins, his brother Greg VanWagenen, his wife Nola (Erickson) VanWagenen, and his children: Anthony, Jeremy, Benjamin and Michael VanWagenen and his daughter Beverly (VanWagenen) Powell (Son in Law): Billy Powell and his granddaughter: Stacey Bella Powell.

Kim Joseph VanWagenen was born to Leon Larsen VanWagenen and his mother Esther Beverly (Perkins) then VanWagenen. He was cherished by his mother and ever such a goodly son, bringing her much joy through the years up til his last days.

Following high school he decided to follow his brother's example and  join the military choosing to enlist in the United States AirForce that would end up taking him on a twenty year journey living around the world from Aisia to Europe to many states within America.

Kim always felt it divine intervention to prolong his life as three different times during his career he was called to serve in battle, but each time the conflicts came to a close before he he had to leave, then upon being called to serve in Afghanistan he ended up coming down with his back injury which brought him no choice but to end his career at 20 years. Faithfully he served receiving Superior ratings year after year..

His most noted assignment was a high security, special duty assignment serving in England where his office put forth high security assignments to all branches of the military.
There he was awarded a Meri torious Service Medal for being the main person responsible for turning his area from a poor inspection to a superior.

His most enjoyable and even fun service was serving the cadets at the B.Y.U. R.O.T.C. Some of his gifts were  leadership, administration and many office skills and also working with accounting.

Now he was not alone during this military career: About 5 years into serving he one day had  his mischievous uncle Lloyd  (me) set Kim up on a date in a funhearted way with this funny, cute girl named Nola, his daughter's best friend. His hooligan idea worked as they ended up falling inlove and being married in the Salt Lake Temple which eventually led them into multiplying and replenishing  the earth having five wonderful children to join their incredible journey being about many wonderful and fun times together as a family. From those begin- ings it turned into a love affair for Kim  and Nola that would end up lasting almost 40 years.

Now another one of Kim's gifts was his deep spirituality and throughout his marriage he and Nola ended up finding joy in many times daily sharing in reading, and attending, viewing and listening and speaking about many spiritual things that his religion put forth.

Kim faithfully served in many church callings such as ward clerk, primary, Young Men's President and also Elder's and High Priest quorum twice and even Branch presidencies. In England he enjoyed serving and coming to love the English saints as he served them through the High Council as Nola was called to the Stake Relief Society Presidency, thus they would travel together speaking and teaching and even Kim would share a spiritual reading along with Nola and his children playing their violins and Tony on the piano.

His greatest calling in life ended up being one of his favorites as the last five years of his life God seemed to set up his disabilities and suffering and being confined to a chair day in and day out,  instead of a curse into a most wonderful blessing that brought  him much joy and many spiritual experiences as he caught the spirit of Elijah and daily was about genealogy and sending his, friend's and Nola's ancestors passed to the temple to have their work of exhalation completed and to be sealed as families forever.

Many times over and over he experienced heavenly angels passed  (and also thanks to the modern invention of the computer.) that helped him in this heavenly undertaking and by the time he was finished God and angels and others assisting in submitting genealogy helped him send over 33,000 souls to have their temple work done (also thanks to the modern invention of the computer.)

Now.. It was Kim's testimony to his beloved family and friends that he was blessed to have Jesus greatest and truest gospel in his life and that there is life beyond this one and that our Saviors redeeming grace and sacrifice and love is true and real. It is all true and real and he ever felt so blessed to have it in his life and would desire for all to be reminded of such a glorious gift that he had and that you too have or can have in your lives.  ..

Graveside funeral at the Bountiful City Cemetary at 12:00 Noon. Luncheon following at the Bountiful Tabernacle on Main and Center in Bountiful Utah for family and friends.