The first time I met Dan I was impressed that he took the time to talk to me and make me feel immediately comfortable. He had the ability always make people feel comfortable around him. Dan had the talent to be able to converse with you and be completely engaged. He always kept his eyes on yours and was attententive to you. Always making you feel that he was interested in you and what you were sharing even if it was not something that he was probably interested in.
Dan was one of the people that I enjoyed conversing with the most. I loved to hear his insights into the gospel. He had such a broad knowledge into scripture and its meaning that he was a great teacher. But surprisingly, he never used this knowledge to lift himself above others or to make them feel inferior because their understanding of the gospel was much smaller.
I always admired how much of a hands on father Dan was. He spent time with all of his children and he loved them and they knew it.
Dan was not afraid to work hard in all areas of his life. Several times my family benefited from his hard work and service. Both times that we moved, there were Dan and Amy who showed up first and then did not leave until the work was done. While he was there he was never impatient or in a hurry to get his time in so that he could move on to other things. Once again he made us feel like we were important in his life and that he was happy to be a part of it.
I miss Dan’s laugh. He laughed out loud and it was one of the best things to hear. Sunday dinners at the Erekson’s always became more fun when Dan and Amy were there to laugh. It was always fun and exciting to hear it take on things at the dinner table.
I will always miss Dan and feel incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to know him and learn from him in such a short time. I am glad that he will be forever part of my family. I love him.
Lovingly, until we meet again,
Carol and Spencer Erekson
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
It is the Christmas Season A Time for Joy
It is the Christmas Season a time for joy. I am feeling a deep gratitude of joy from all of Dan’s friends who have responded to this blog. You have brought our family comfort and joy in recalling shared memories. Your expressions of love have supported us in our difficult separation. We miss Dan, his contagious smile, his love for learning, his loyalty, and his constant willingness to help our family. In times of loneliness I try to remember not, “Why was he taken so young?” but rather, “Why was I so blessed to have him for my son for forty one years?” It is my privilege to be Dan’s Mother!
When Dan was about nine years old, all of the children were telling us what gift they wanted Santa to bring them. Dan didn’t respond (which wasn’t very much like Dan), then he answered by saying, “I really don’t want a gift.” He kept his stand the entire season.
On Christmas morning Santa brought the children many gifts, but there was nothing for Dan. Even he seemed surprised. He did have a full sock. As usual, the children, one at a time, emptied their socks. Dan, being the oldest, was last. It seemed to me we had been waiting forever. In the toe of his sock was a note telling him to go look in the barn. I can’t remember Dan ever moving that fast! In the barn was “Ginger” his own horse with a big red ribbon around her neck, and a small boy with a huge smile also around “Ginger’s” neck. Dan’s gift was perfect in every way!
Now, we must wait for the greatest gift of all-Eternal Life. It was hard waiting Christmas morning. It is hard waiting for our Greatest Gift, to be an eternal family together forever. Jesus made a great sacrifice to give us this Gift. We must live the commandments and be worthy of the Gift. I try each day to live my life so that I am worthy to be united with Dan again. What a reunion it will be! I am so grateful for the Savior’s Gift to all of us.
Love,
Mom
When Dan was about nine years old, all of the children were telling us what gift they wanted Santa to bring them. Dan didn’t respond (which wasn’t very much like Dan), then he answered by saying, “I really don’t want a gift.” He kept his stand the entire season.
On Christmas morning Santa brought the children many gifts, but there was nothing for Dan. Even he seemed surprised. He did have a full sock. As usual, the children, one at a time, emptied their socks. Dan, being the oldest, was last. It seemed to me we had been waiting forever. In the toe of his sock was a note telling him to go look in the barn. I can’t remember Dan ever moving that fast! In the barn was “Ginger” his own horse with a big red ribbon around her neck, and a small boy with a huge smile also around “Ginger’s” neck. Dan’s gift was perfect in every way!
Now, we must wait for the greatest gift of all-Eternal Life. It was hard waiting Christmas morning. It is hard waiting for our Greatest Gift, to be an eternal family together forever. Jesus made a great sacrifice to give us this Gift. We must live the commandments and be worthy of the Gift. I try each day to live my life so that I am worthy to be united with Dan again. What a reunion it will be! I am so grateful for the Savior’s Gift to all of us.
Love,
Mom
Monday, December 7, 2009
Lovingly Remembering our Son-in-law, Daniel Spencer Howells
Knowing just which memory to choose is very challenging when we have been so affected by most of Dan’s life as our son-in-law. He brought to our family a strong background in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and continued to build on that as he became a husband, father, college graduate, seminary teacher and principal, Bishop, good friend to young and old, and filled countless roles in all aspects of his life.
Dan’s impact on the lives of Allen and Mardy Erekson started as our daughter Amy began to date Dan. On their first date they were accompanied by Dan’s father Spencer Howells. Later we had a party at our home with Amy and some of her high school friends and Dan was one of the invited guest. It was obvious to us that Dan had an interest in Amy because of his reactions during some of the party games. All very positive, of course!
Dan served a full time mission to New Zealand. He was very focused in the work he had undertaken. We had attended his farewell with Amy and also his homecoming when he was honorably released. Amy had been dating others while attending BYU during Dan’s mission. One of her persistent dates had become quite serious about her, but the question of Dan kept arising. Mom Mardy had a strong impression Amy should hold back on any commitment until Dan returned from his mission. The impression was providential as far as we were concerned!
Dan was just as focused upon his return home and prepared to ask for Amy’s hand in marriage. Allen received a phone call at his office from Dan asking if he could talk to him. Dan was with Amy in his car down on the street by Allen’s office building. Amy didn’t know for sure what was transpiring, but Dan asked Allen for permission to marry Amy. He promised to love and take care of her forever. With Allen’s permission Dan left and took Amy to what became their favorite spot on the Howells family ranch up on Thousand Peaks. They rode to “their spot” on horseback and Dan got down on his knees and proposed. Amy said yes!
During the planning for a June wedding in the Salt Lake Temple, the two families became much better acquainted. The date of June 29, 1989, was decided on by the couple. One of the decisions to be made was regarding the wedding cake. When asked what they would like, Dan spoke up and said, “I will make the wedding cake.” Both mothers replied that a groom’s cake would be nice. Dan responded, “No, I want to make THE wedding cake!” When asked by the parents if he had ever made a wedding cake before he answered, “No, and I don’t remember ever having make a cake before, but it can’t be that hard!”
About two weeks before the wedding, Dan and his best man and best friend, Dave Larson, baked many cakes at Dan’s house. Lots of them and all kinds (packaged mixes, of course!) When asked about this experience in later years, Dan said they made many cakes and not all of them turned out so, he and Dave used them as discs and threw them across the creek. Those who attended the reception or saw pictures will recall that the wedding cake was multi-tiered and beautiful, decorated with real flowers and red roses and a band of ivy. And it tasted great! Dan’s secret was having conferred with his gifted, experienced aunt who gave assistance in the final assembling process.
This experience of the wedding cake was just the beginning of a life filled with lots of do-it-yourself kinds of opportunities that Dan enjoyed doing. Nothing was too much of a challenge. He thrived on trying something new. He built furniture for their home; built one of their homes in Arizona; did most of the remodeling of their Peoa home; helped build the family cabin in Thousand Peaks; started a business with his brother, Paul and taught us and his family much with his great attitude and willingness to work hard and accomplish his goals.
We owe Dan a great debt of love and gratitude for his influence in our lives and especially for the wonderful six grandchildren that bless our lives, Kathryn, Mary, Hannah, Spencer, Shad and Caleb. We are grateful for the love he has for Amy and the children and their eternal bond as a family.
Continue your good works in the Gospel, Dan, and we’ll see you in a far better place!
Much love and appreciation,
Allen & Mardy Erekson
Dan’s impact on the lives of Allen and Mardy Erekson started as our daughter Amy began to date Dan. On their first date they were accompanied by Dan’s father Spencer Howells. Later we had a party at our home with Amy and some of her high school friends and Dan was one of the invited guest. It was obvious to us that Dan had an interest in Amy because of his reactions during some of the party games. All very positive, of course!
Dan served a full time mission to New Zealand. He was very focused in the work he had undertaken. We had attended his farewell with Amy and also his homecoming when he was honorably released. Amy had been dating others while attending BYU during Dan’s mission. One of her persistent dates had become quite serious about her, but the question of Dan kept arising. Mom Mardy had a strong impression Amy should hold back on any commitment until Dan returned from his mission. The impression was providential as far as we were concerned!
Dan was just as focused upon his return home and prepared to ask for Amy’s hand in marriage. Allen received a phone call at his office from Dan asking if he could talk to him. Dan was with Amy in his car down on the street by Allen’s office building. Amy didn’t know for sure what was transpiring, but Dan asked Allen for permission to marry Amy. He promised to love and take care of her forever. With Allen’s permission Dan left and took Amy to what became their favorite spot on the Howells family ranch up on Thousand Peaks. They rode to “their spot” on horseback and Dan got down on his knees and proposed. Amy said yes!
During the planning for a June wedding in the Salt Lake Temple, the two families became much better acquainted. The date of June 29, 1989, was decided on by the couple. One of the decisions to be made was regarding the wedding cake. When asked what they would like, Dan spoke up and said, “I will make the wedding cake.” Both mothers replied that a groom’s cake would be nice. Dan responded, “No, I want to make THE wedding cake!” When asked by the parents if he had ever made a wedding cake before he answered, “No, and I don’t remember ever having make a cake before, but it can’t be that hard!”
About two weeks before the wedding, Dan and his best man and best friend, Dave Larson, baked many cakes at Dan’s house. Lots of them and all kinds (packaged mixes, of course!) When asked about this experience in later years, Dan said they made many cakes and not all of them turned out so, he and Dave used them as discs and threw them across the creek. Those who attended the reception or saw pictures will recall that the wedding cake was multi-tiered and beautiful, decorated with real flowers and red roses and a band of ivy. And it tasted great! Dan’s secret was having conferred with his gifted, experienced aunt who gave assistance in the final assembling process.
This experience of the wedding cake was just the beginning of a life filled with lots of do-it-yourself kinds of opportunities that Dan enjoyed doing. Nothing was too much of a challenge. He thrived on trying something new. He built furniture for their home; built one of their homes in Arizona; did most of the remodeling of their Peoa home; helped build the family cabin in Thousand Peaks; started a business with his brother, Paul and taught us and his family much with his great attitude and willingness to work hard and accomplish his goals.
We owe Dan a great debt of love and gratitude for his influence in our lives and especially for the wonderful six grandchildren that bless our lives, Kathryn, Mary, Hannah, Spencer, Shad and Caleb. We are grateful for the love he has for Amy and the children and their eternal bond as a family.
Continue your good works in the Gospel, Dan, and we’ll see you in a far better place!
Much love and appreciation,
Allen & Mardy Erekson
Amy, Kathryn, Mary, Hannah, Spencer, Shad and Caleb,
I am so grateful for each and every one of you. We are truly blessed to know and understand the Lord's plan for us which includes families and the best part of it is the forever part. I have watched Amy and Dan over the years submit willingly to everything the Lord saw fit to inflict upon them. And they did it humbly. This trial will not be any different. I have watched as you have gone to your knees to seek the will of the father, in this one of the greatest of trials, and then turn with all your might and do what is required to continue in his path. Each of you have been a light to those around you and have reminded us where to turn in our times of need. My testimony has been strengthened by your examples. Kathryn who is willing to walk a walk of righteousness in difficult years. Mary who serves as a strength to her mother. Hannah who sees the lords hand in her life daily. Spencer who has a desire to emulate his fathers example of leadership in the home. Shad who willingly submits and continues on in spite of hardships. Caleb who emulates love and a tender heart. Amy who under the most difficult of circumstances continues to emulate faith, hope and charity. I feel so privileged to know each one of you and love you dearly. I know that the Lord will lighten our burdens that even we will not feel them upon our backs. He can comfort us in times of need, his atonement promises to ease the pain of death, sorrow and suffering and promises us joy as we put our trust in him and his plan for each of us.
I have no doubt that Dan trained his family in truth and righteousness and because of this I know they will be blessed. His desire to know more about the Lord and his purposes inspired many including myself to want to know more. His was a wonderful example of discipleship. I am truly grateful for the time we spent together and look forward to a joyful reunion.
All my love,
Kristen Mikesell (Sister-in-law)
I am so grateful for each and every one of you. We are truly blessed to know and understand the Lord's plan for us which includes families and the best part of it is the forever part. I have watched Amy and Dan over the years submit willingly to everything the Lord saw fit to inflict upon them. And they did it humbly. This trial will not be any different. I have watched as you have gone to your knees to seek the will of the father, in this one of the greatest of trials, and then turn with all your might and do what is required to continue in his path. Each of you have been a light to those around you and have reminded us where to turn in our times of need. My testimony has been strengthened by your examples. Kathryn who is willing to walk a walk of righteousness in difficult years. Mary who serves as a strength to her mother. Hannah who sees the lords hand in her life daily. Spencer who has a desire to emulate his fathers example of leadership in the home. Shad who willingly submits and continues on in spite of hardships. Caleb who emulates love and a tender heart. Amy who under the most difficult of circumstances continues to emulate faith, hope and charity. I feel so privileged to know each one of you and love you dearly. I know that the Lord will lighten our burdens that even we will not feel them upon our backs. He can comfort us in times of need, his atonement promises to ease the pain of death, sorrow and suffering and promises us joy as we put our trust in him and his plan for each of us.
I have no doubt that Dan trained his family in truth and righteousness and because of this I know they will be blessed. His desire to know more about the Lord and his purposes inspired many including myself to want to know more. His was a wonderful example of discipleship. I am truly grateful for the time we spent together and look forward to a joyful reunion.
All my love,
Kristen Mikesell (Sister-in-law)
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