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
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