Dear Relatives

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.

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GLEN ELDEN VAN WAGENEN

Glen Elden Van Wagenen was born November 8^th, 1933 in Provo, Utah County, Utah. He received his early education at the Franklin Elementary, Dixon Junior High and Provo High Schools. He was an active member of the Provo 6^th and 14^th wards. Also in the Boy Scouts troop 714 where he received his Eagle and other awards.

He was interested in music belonging to school orchestras and other choruses. He was a member of the Madrigal chorus at the B..Y.U. which toured the U.S. extensively singing in the White House and many other places of interest. He was also interested in photography and managed Biddulph Photo Studio while attending the B.Y.U.

In 1954 he married Palma Sorenson and shortly after left for a mission in the Southwest Indian mission serving in Arizona and New Mexico. The love he felt for the Indian people and the desire to help them led to his entering the newly organized Church Indian Education Program where he worked in the Orem area. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona to organize and open up the Indian program and after five years transferred to the Los Angeles area to establish the program in the California area. At present he lives in Fullerton, California and is Director of the California Indian Education Program.

He and Palma have adopted four lovely children, Russel born 7 Dec. 1959, Michelle, born 10 Sept 1961, Christine, born 14 Jan 1963 and David born 2 Sept 1966. All are active in church and community affairs and at present Glen is a Ward Clerk in the Placentia Ward in the Fullerton area. Palma Sorenson Van Wagenen is the daughter of Ray Sorenson and Fontella Black.

ALAN KENT VAN WAGENEN

Alan Kent Van Wagenen was born 23 May 1939 in Provo, Utah County, Utah. He attended school at the Franklin Elementary, Dixon Junior High and graduated from Provo High School in 1957. He was an active member of the Provo Sixth and Fourteenth Wards and became an Eagle Scout along with his father and brother Glen.

After completing 2 years at the B.Y.U. he was called on a mission to Southern Australia. He served in Hobart, Tasmania and the Melbourne and Adelaide areas. Returning home in July of 1961. He married Arlene Dunford, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. Osmond Dunford. He returned to the B.Y.U. to complete his education. He was a member of the Madrigal and Oratorio Choirs and graduated in 1964 with a major in music.

He moved to Las Vegas and taught music in the schools there for three years. He became Bishop of the North Las Vegas 4^th Ward.

At present he is living in Scottsdale, Arizona, teaching music to the new Saguare High School and working on his masters degree at the university of Arizona in Tempe.

He and Arlene have three children: Shanna, born February 16, 1963; Julie, born May 1^st, 1964; and Mark, born December 14^th, 1966.

BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE CHRISTOPHER VAN WAGENEN

George Christopher Van Wagenen was born in Midway, Wasatch County, Utah, on March 5, 1869, a son of David and Julia Ann Provost Van Wangenen. He was one of twelve children born to David and Julie. George attended the Midway schools and was later employed by his father in the Midway Cooperative Store. Later still he managed the store and served as postal clerk. He was a well known musician in his earlier days. He played the violin and dulcimer in his own orchestra and called for the old-time dances.

When a young man, George attended a Van Wagenen reunion in Provo and there met Katie Matilda Stark. The two were attracted to each other from the first. Upon his first visit to Katie’s home in Payson, Utah, George asked for her hand in marriage. Katie’s mother wanted them to become better acquainted before they became engaged. So they corresponded for a few months. George made the then long journey from Midway to Payson by means of horse and buggy when the snow in Provo Canyon was not too severe. June 20, 1894, George and Katie were married in the Salt Lake L.D.S. Temple. They were never separated until his death fifty-four years later.

After their marriage, George and Katie lived in Midway for a few years. While there they traveled all over the county and played for dances several nights a week. However, over a period of time, the water in Midway did not agree with Katie, so the couple moved to Provo.

When they moved to Provo, George operated a grocery store. In years to follow he managed two other grocery stores. In a few years, George was employed by his brother, Alma Van Wagenen, selling buggies and later automobiles. George was a good salesman and enjoyed meeting the public. He was also employed by the Utah Woolen Mills, by Consolidated Hardware Company, by Studebaker Bros. Selling automobiles, and finally by Union Pacific Railroad, from which he retired in 1942 after 20 years of service.

George and Katie Van Wagenen were the parents of six children: Fern LaPriel was born in Midway, and Glen George, Clyde LaVar, Verl Eldon, Faye Erva, and Donna Myrle were born in Provo. His eldest son, Glen, passed away in 1926, while teaching music at the Brigham Young University.

George C. Van Wagenen was an active member of the Latter-Day Saints Church. He was a High Priest at the time of his death in Provo, Utah, July 25, 1948.

George Christopher Van Wagenen was a likeable man. He was generous and very appreciative. He was unusually pleasant and patient. He wanted very little in a material sense, but he treasured his family and wanted them to have every advantage. He was proud of his wife and children and his main concern was their well being.