Maxine Van Wagoner

July 26, 1932 - December 19, 2016

Maxine Humphries Van Wagoner 1932-2016­­ Maxine Van Wagoner, 84, was called home to her Father in Heaven on December 19, 2016. She passed away peacefully at the American Fork Hospital, surrounded by her beloved children and grandchildren. She was born July 26, 1932 in Jerome Idaho, to Felix Baxter and Dora V. Johnson Humphries. Maxine is best known for her spunky and fun-loving personality and saying’s such as “Dear Moses!” “Honest-to-Pete!” “Go Jump in the Lake!” “Oh Shush-up!” “BINGO!!” and countless endearing others. She loved playing the guitar, singing, yodeling, crocheting and crossword puzzles. She loved reading her scriptures and studying the gospel, and sharing it with others, every opportunity she got. She also loved writing, especially, writing children’s stories. On February 22, 1949 she married Alva Jay Van Wagoner. They later divorced after 57 years of marriage. Together they raised 9 beautiful children who inherited their mother’s love for humor. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many ward and stake positons including Relief Society counselor and teacher, Stake and Ward Missionary, Primary teacher, cub scout den leader and her most recent and most favorite – Missionary at the Grand Junction Bishop’s Storehouse. She loved serving in her various callings but held very dear to her heart, the service she provided at the storehouse. She was very active in family history and sent thousands of names to the temple. Maxine was the most kind and selfless person who was adored by everyone who knew her. She would do anything for her children, and each one of them felt the same toward her. She had an uncanny ability of remembering phone numbers, and rarely needed a phone directory. She loved family traditions like taffy pulls, holiday gatherings, family reunions and story-time with one of her favorite authors, Pat McManus. Maxine loved to laugh and she shared her laughter with everyone she met. She loved to play coin and prize bingo so she would have little gifts to give to her most treasured grandchildren. Maxine was a dedicated and devoted employee and began working at a young age as a potato picker, along side her daddy, earning a penny for every potato she picked. At 12, she worked as an ice cream girl at Pop’s A&W Root Beer stand and had fond memories of hand scooped ice cream and fountain soda. She worked for several years as a telephone operator for Mountain Bell and was known for her speed and accuracy. Before retirement, she worked for several years as the general manager of a large hotel chain. She is survived by her children: Kristine Quinn, Fruita, CO; Juline Canto (the late Ron Canto), Mapleton, UT; Shirline Tefteller (Glenn), Highland, UT; Michael Van Wagoner (Kate), Mapleton, UT; David Van Wagoner (Sue), South Jordan, UT; Mark Van Wagoner (Lynnette), Mapleton, UT; Jon Van Wagoner (Jen), Lake Oswego, OR; Lesa Irwin, Port Angeles, WA and Geoff Van Wagoner (Crystal), Grand Junction, CO; sister-in-law, Larue Humphries, Jerome, ID; brother-in-law, Dell Weeks, Jerome, ID; nephew, Grant B Humphries, Golden Valley, AZ; and 52 grandchildren, 71 great grandchildren (and one on the way) and 3 great-great grandchildren who all felt as they were her favorite. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Grant and Kenneth Humphries; sister Shirley Weeks; infant son, Matthew Mark; grandson Michael Shayne; great grandson in-law Cory Cloward; great-grandsons, Gabriel and Josiah Prestwich. We will miss you Mom (“Grandma Maxine” or grams), but we are comforted by the knowledge the gospel provides that you will be near during special occasions and those special times when we need you the most. In lieu of flowers, Maxine would love for you to make a donation in her memory to Utah Valley Mortuary by calling 801.796.3503 or to the LDS churches missionary fund. A special thanks goes out to One Care Home Health services, La Villa Grande in Grand Junction, CO, and to her oldest grand-daughter Tera Prestwich for bringing her back from Colorado to be closer to her family and the amazing care she provided Maxine the last few months of her life. We are grateful for anyone who made our sweet mama’s life a better and a more rewarding 84 years. Maxine was an Organ Donor and was giving even after her passing. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at 10:00 AM in the Groves 2nd Ward located at 2433 West 450 South in Pleasant Grove, Utah. A family luncheon will be held directly after the funeral in the same ward building. A dedication of her grave will be held at 2:00 pm at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah. Funeral Directors: Utah Valley Mortuary.