Obituary: WALKENHORST, JOHN

John Alvin Walkenhorst3/12/1942 ~ 1/1/2013John Alvin Walkenhorst, father, grandfather, teacher and friend passed away January 1, 2013, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born March 12, 1942 to Alvin Wilhelm Walkenhorst and Afton Johnson. He served a LDS mission to the Atlantic States Mission. He served as a Stake Missionary while attending Utah State University, which was more successful than his first mission! John graduated with his Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education from Utah State University and received a Masters Degree in Education from Brigham Young University. He began teaching Seminary for the LDS Church and had a successful 36 years as a teacher and was an example to thousands of young people in the Salt Lake Valley. He always used humor and the love of the Savior to help him teach the youth. He blessed the lives of many people. His life was one of service, and his legacy is one of family, faith, and hard work.While at USU, he met Lynene Fowers and together they had 8 beautiful children. John had many callings in the LDS Church; Bishop, Counselor in the Stake Presidency, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and High Priest Group Leader. Family History was a high priority in his life, in which, he submitted thousands of names for temple work. He loved to serve and teach the gospel to others. He had a passion for golf and taught himself how to play eventually winning amateur golf tournaments. He loved adventure, riding dirt bikes, hanging with his buddies, and going for outings with his children.John is survived by his loving wife, Lynene; his eight children, Kathleen (Blaine) Worthington, Ohio, Heather (Michael) Waibel, Wisconsin, Amy (Brian) Davis, Rebecca (Robert) Dority, Kerrie (Ryan) Ellsworth, Washington, Allyson (Scott) Chamberlain, Dallin (Jolynne), David (Natonis), Calgary, Canada; one sister, Charlotte Williams of Evergreen, Colorado; and 22 grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents. We wish to thank the excellent care by Symbii Hospice and the many kind friends in the Park 5th Ward who helped John in his last days. We thank you!Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 5th at the Park 5th Ward Chapel, 7411 South 4800 South, West Jordan, Utah. Viewings will also be at the church on Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00-9:45 a.m. Interment: Beaver Dam Cemetery near Tremonton, Utah. Share online condolences at www.jenkins-soffe.com.