Gerald Adrian Van Mondfrans

Gerald “Jerry” Adrian Van Mondfrans was born on April 22, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Cornelia Slotboom and Pieter Gijsbertus Van Mondfrans,  both immigrants from Holland.  He passed away peacefully at the age of 80 on January 28, 2016.
     Jerry’s father passed away when Jerry was 6.  His mother raised her 3 children by her herself and her extended family was always nearby and had a strong influence on Jerry.  He has many fun memories of growing up near Capitol Hill and playing around the State Capitol with his brother, sister, and many cousins.  There were many outings and camping trips with uncles and cousins and his Oma and Opa were always close by.
     Jerry graduated from East High School in 1953 and then earned his Bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Utah, class of 1957.  He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Newmeyer on June 17, 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple.  They have been married for 60 years.  Together they raised 3 daughters and 2 sons:  Suzanne, Janet, Barbara, Mark, and Kevin.  Their children credit them with teaching them to work hard and fulfilling their responsibilities.
     He was employed by Hercules Powder Co, Litton Industries, and then founded ComTel Inc. with several partners.  Later he also founded Ad Systems.  He was talented at running and growing his businesses.
     Jerry was the ultimate do-it-yourselfer and loved doing his many home and yard improvement projects.  He was talented at all of the trades, from designing, plumbing, gardening,  to woodwork, concrete work, and remodeling. His children have also been recipients of his talents, time, and energy in their own homes.  He was lost without his tools and had them organized in specific toolboxes for the kind of job.  Jerry loved to spend his evenings in his den; reading the newspaper and novels, and watching tv.  He loved old-time radio show recordings, listening to books on tape, and the music of the Statler Bros, Doris Day, and Olivia Newton-John.  
     But Jerry’s true passion was Scouting and he served as Scoutmaster for many years.  He loved the camping outings and the boys, many whom he helped on their journey to becoming Eagle Scouts. He earned many Scouting achievements.
     When he ‘retired’, he continued to maintain the many properties and buildings he owned and loved spending time at the cabin in Kamas. 
     Jerry had a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many callings.  He loved Mom and her cooking, a good steak, some good barbecue, his Mountain Dew, and anything chocolate.  He enjoyed fishing when he could find the time.  His children remember many snowmobile outings, camping, and time in the mountains.  He was always well-dressed and said that ‘a gentleman always carries a handkerchief and a comb’.  We greatly appreciate his hard work, dedication, and love to his family.  While he will be deeply missed, we rejoice with him in the grand reunion he is enjoying with many loved ones who have passed on before.
     Jerry is survived by his wife, Carol, and his children:  Suzanne Young, Janet and Dave Mortenson, Barbara Van Mondfrans, Mark and Jacque Van Mondfrans, and Kevin and Laurie Van Mondfrans.  He also has 10 grandsons:  Zachary, Spencer, Tyler, Eric, Brian, Brandon, Dallin, Caleb, Taylor, and Tanner;  and 5 granddaughters:  Jessica, Brittany, Whitney, Maria, and Ashley;  and 18 great-grandchildren.   He is also survived by his sister, Joyce M. Kay and his brother, Adrian P. and Maisie Van Mondfrans.
     Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday February 2, 2016 at the Little Cottonwood 16th Ward, 6350 South Rodeo Lane (1545 East). Friends may visit with the family on Monday evening, February 1, 2016 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Holbrook Mortuary, 3251 South 2300 East, and at the church on Tuesday morning from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to the services. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. On line memories and tributes can be posted for the family at www.HolbrookMortuary.com. The family also thanks the many caregivers at The Wellington and Wentworth Assisted Living and Hospice4Utah.