Obituary of Kathleen Buckwalter Van Wagoner

Kathleen Buckwalter Van Wagoner, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2015 in American Fork, Utah. Kathy was born on August 17, 1934 in American Fork as the second of four children to Edwin Ross and Detta McBride Buckwalter. She graduated from American Fork High School, attended one year at the University of Utah, and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music at Brigham Young University. While at BYU she was awarded “Belle of the Y” and participated in numerous service & social groups. She married her sweetheart, John Chipman Van Wagoner, on March 8, 1957 in the Laie Hawaii LDS Temple. She had a lifelong love of music and enjoyed playing the piano, organ, violin, and ukulele. She shared her talents by accompanying a women’s singing trio, teaching piano and violin, and playing in church and in the temple. She had a passion for activities with her family including water skiing, snow skiing, boating, camping, and other outdoor recreation. In her spare time she enjoyed reading, knitting, crocheting, sewing and other handiwork. In later years she became involved with The Launfal Foundation, a humanitarian aid group, for which she knitted over 2,500 preemie caps. She worked for Devey’s Men’s Store, Chadwick Trucking and spent 17 years at LDS Philanthropies. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in numerous Church callings and had a positive influence in the lives of many. Over the last few years she experienced health challenges that curtailed her ability to participate in activities she previously enjoyed, but her strong will and positive attitude helped her endure these challenges with grace and patience, always focusing on others. She is survived by her husband, John C. Van Wagoner, her children, John E. (Lisa) Van Wagoner, Highland, UT, Scott (Deanna) Van Wagoner, Alpine, UT, Mark (Jeanne) Van Wagoner, Highland, UT, Shauna (Greg) Searle, American Fork, UT, Laurette (Blair) Vance, Lapoint, UT, 17 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Jolayne Walker and a brother Ross M. Buckwalter. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Lori Van Wagoner-Shute, her sister Barbara Buckwalter and her parents. We welcome family and friends to join us in a celebration of her life on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the American Fork 23rd Ward Chapel, 680 North 350 West. A viewing will be held Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork and Thursday at the church from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in American Fork Cemetery. Please share a memory at andersonmortuary.com.