Obituary: ROSANDER, WALLACE

Wallace Leonard Rosander 1920 ~ 2012"The fourth quarter is over, the lights are dimmed and the score board has been turned off and we are not surprised that Dad was awarded the MVP. "Most Valuable PAPA." Wallace Leonard Rosander passed away peacefully on May 17, 2012. Our father was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 23, 1920. He was the son of John Morris and Jeannie Schwartz Rosander. He married his lifelong sweetheart, Luella Sorensen, whom he took to the Junior High School graduation dance and later became her husband on November 11, 1941. Wally attended South High School; Westminster College, Mesa Jr. College, and Colorado College, all on football scholarships. During high school and college, he was happy to say that he never played for a losing team. He was the proud owner of a blanket which was awarded to him for the most outstanding scholar/athlete of the year. His railroad career began in 1941, and he retired in 1982, as an engineer with the Denver Rio Grande. He then became the owner of Rosander's Wood Turning Shop. He and his wife, Luella, served in the Salt Lake Temple for eight years. After her passing on July 16, 1990, he continued his service. Dad was always active in the L.D.S. Church and worked in Artifacts at the Historical Museum and was former President of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. Our Father was a very unique person. Not everyone can say that they swam in the Jordan River, was pulled over by a city policeman and given a ticket for speeding in his train on 3rd West, nor tackled an uninvited intruder in the Salt Lake Temple, but that was our Father. Dad is survived by his wife Vonda Lee Wilde Rosander whom he married on New Years Eve 1992. She was a wonderful wife who created new interests and talents with him. She brought love and happiness to their home during their 19 years of companionship. He is also survived by his two children, Gayle (Gordon) Fletcher, Kris (Becky) Rosander; Vonda's children, Kathleen Harding, Debera (Jim) Kinder, Mona (Jeff) Bateson, Barbara (Kevin) Layton, twenty-four grandchildren and fifty-one great grandchildren; his brother Paul Rosander and spouse, Wanda. Dad will miss his family, his patio and boating on Lake Powell but we know that he will be warmly received by those who preceded him and his Savior. Services will be held, Monday, May 21, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at the East Millcreek 9th Ward Chapel located at 3750 S Hillside Lane (2600 E). A viewing will be held Sunday, May 20, 2012 at the East Millcreek 9th Ward Chapel from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and the day of the service from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.Online condolences at www.cannonmortuary.com