Don Merrill Gottfredson, cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 – just 15 days following his eternal companion, 
Wanda Gay Gottfredson’s passing on November 13, 2020. He found their brief separation desperately difficult to the end.
Don will long be honored as a Christ-like husband, father and friend whose gentle ways strengthened our faith, enriched our days. He was born January 30, 1931, in a humble second-story apartment above the family service station on the corner of Main and Center streets in Spanish Fork, Utah. His parents were Merrill and Melva Gottfredson of Springville, Utah, where Don grew up. He was the eldest of four sons; and a sister, Phyllis, who passed away in infancy. He is survived by a brother, Phillip B. Gottfredson. His siblings David, Paul and Phyllis preceded him in death.
His depression-era beginning forged in him a deep appreciation for every good thing. He took all that was given him and improved upon it. His God-given gifts were many, music being chief among them. As a youth he distinguished himself in his community as a skilled and gifted tenor. His talents led him to BYU, where he would soon meet his eternal companion, Wanda Gay Parks. Before formally meeting, he boldly declared to a fellow choir member that a certain soprano seated before them would one day be his bride. His skilled tenor, focused affections and curly, red-haired charm soon secured a bond of affection that began their first 67 years together in mortality. Their love was eternally solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple, September 4, 1952.
In their early years together, Don served in the U.S. Army. Then his career for many years was spent as a traveling product representative and a top encyclopedia salesman. As a means of bringing Dad home from traveling sales, he and Mom determined that Don would support Wanda through a return to school at BYU where she would work to secure a teaching degree. Upon the completion of her degree and securing employment as an educator, Wanda called him home from the road for good. Don soon successfully transitioned to a new career as a skilled retail business manager for Taylor’s and Castleton’s department stores in Provo/Orem, Utah. During these busy years, he served on two occasions in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and as Bishop of the 11th Ward in Spanish Fork, Utah. Don also played the lead tenor role in BYU’s opera production of “The Girl of the Golden West”. He finished his professional career as a respected buyer and purveyor of men’s clothing at BYU’s Bookstore, Men’s Department, where he provided “dress for success” to countless BYU faculty, business students and LDS missionaries worldwide. Don & Wanda’s retirement years were filled with travel, bowling, church service, and sweet moments sharing the daily rituals of life in sunny St. George. Theirs was a love story beyond compare, years of sacrifice and devotion, a love undimmed by time.
Don M. and Wanda are survived by 3 children: Don E. Gottfredson (Shawna), Cynthia Johnson (Gary), and Kim Thatcher (Kevin); and by a sister, Reva Boren; and 38 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were preceded in death by their daughter, Sherrie Gay; and granddaughter, Aubrey Johnson.
Due to the current circumstances, a private family viewing and prayer will be held on Friday, December 4, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., at Walker Funeral Home, 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah. On Saturday, December 5, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. a brief military honor and tribute followed by interment will take place at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Legacy House of Spanish Fork, and a special thanks to Bonnie Ballard Valdez for her loving and skilled hospice care in both Don’s and Wanda’s final days, when family could not attend to them and hold their hands as they departed this life. We extend our deepest appreciation to all who loved and served these two great souls with countless joys, comforts and blessings. You will be missed Mom and Dad … yet, you will both will live on in our hearts and in our lives.
When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts.
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
(att: Each Life That Touches Ours for Good ~ LDS Hymn)
6 Condolences for Don Merrill Gottfredson
Condolences(6)
Phyllis Brock says
December 2, 2020 at 8:21 pmWhat a lovely written obituary. Your parents were such awesome people. Bob and I lived next door to them on 400 East in Spanish Fork. We learned to love and respect them very much. We would like to extend our sympathy to your family at their passing and happiness to them to be together again so soon.
May our Heavenly Father bless your family
Bob and Phyllis Brock
Marilyn Cope says
December 2, 2020 at 9:41 pmSo sorry for the passing of your dear parents. Fond memories of them in the neighborhood. Val and Marilyn Cope
Roberta Smith says
December 4, 2020 at 5:40 pmTo Don’s Family,
Just wanted to send sympathy to you in your mothers and dads passing. Don was a class mate of my husband, Gordon Smith. Oh how we enjoyed that beautiful voice of your dad his friendship in and out of school, his smile and greetings whenever our paths crossed.
May the Lord’s spirit and your choice memories help to bring peace and comfort to you and yours now and in the time to come.
Again, sympathy to each of you for both situations.
Roberta Smith
Bob W Gottfredson says
December 5, 2020 at 4:19 pmDon jr, Cynthia, and Kim,
What a beautiful reunion your parents are having. We loved both of them and enjoyed our visits whenever we ran into them. Very choice people. We express our love and sympathy to you and your families. We know you can be at peace knowing they are together and families can be together forever.
Love Bob and Glenna Gottfredson
Bob W Gottfredson says
December 5, 2020 at 4:24 pmDon Jr., Cynthia, and Kim,
What a beautiful reunion your parents are having. We loved both of them and enjoyed our visits whenever we ran into them. Very choice people. We express our love and sympathy to you and your families. We know you can be at peace knowing they are together and families can be together forever.
Love Bob and Glenna Gottfredson
Hal Anderson says
December 16, 2020 at 6:43 pmDon, Cyndi and Kim,
Oh how I have loved your parents! Don was not only my Boss at BYU, but also a cherished mentor and friend. While I still have his old job here in the “Men’s Shop”, it has never been the same since he left.
I spoke to him on the phone many times over the years and visited him and your Mom in Washington and they were always the same warm fun friends.
I spoke to him on the phone the morning after he moved into the Legacy House and while he was having a difficult time that day, he was so appreciative of all of you and your help and kindness towards him. I called him after hearing of your Mom’s passing and talked for just a few minutes as he was obviously not well. (I know now that it was just 2 days before he followed her).
Tried calling again yesterday and only just now found out why he did not answer.
While my heart hurts terribly, I am so happy that they are together as they were always meant to be.
My deepest sympathy to you all.
God Bless, Hal Anderson
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