Brent L Van Wagenen

On Thursday, January 14, 2021, Brent Lynn Van Wagenen, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 57. Brent was born on February 8, 1963 in North Sacramento, CA to Stephen and Arlene Deem Van Wagenen, the third of six children. He enjoyed a happy childhood attending Mira Loma High and achieving the award of Eagle Scout. Brent served in the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and afterward obtained degrees from Brigham Young University and Utah State University before embarking on a 32 year career in Elementary Education. On June 1, 1989, he married Anita Bell in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised two sons and two daughters, first in Pleasant Grove, Utah, then in Heber City, Utah. Brent loved BYU sporting events, gardening, scouting, history, and bird watching. He was an avid reader, fisherman, and ice fisherman. He passionately planned and carried out epic family adventures, including vacations to the East Coast, Europe, Canada, and countless National Parks and Monuments. His love of life and the Gospel of Jesus Christ will forever live on through his children and 3 grandchildren in whom he took tremendous interest and pride. Brent’s driving mission and greatest joy in life was providing for and supporting his family. When there was an event, no matter the time or place, he would be there with a smile on his face and his camcorder. A true family man, through and through. Despite health challenges in his final years, Brent drew little attention to his own suffering, choosing instead to take an active, kind and genuine interest in the well-being of those he knew and loved. His cheerful greetings and punny sense of humor will be missed.

Brent was preceded in death by his father and mother, Stephen and Arlene, and his granddaughter, Rae. He is survived by his wife, Anita; his sons, Chris and Stephen; his daughters, Jenna and Haley; his grandchildren, August and Olivia; his brothers, Mark, Ron, and Dave; and his sisters, Sandra Mixa and Lori Laurence. A funeral service for family will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Heber 1st Ward Church Building, 325 E 500 N in Heber City, UT. Burial will follow at the Heber City Cemetery, 680 N 550 W in Heber City, UT. For those who cannot attend, Zoom will be available. The Join Meeting link is http://zoom.us/j/4356545458