Vern Gren

VERN BEHLING GREN

November 25, 1935 – July 5, 2019

Vern Behling Gren, age 83, passed away Friday, July 5, 2019 at his home in Bountiful, Utah after a vigorous battle against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Vern was born November 25, 1935 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Vern Victor Gren and Martha Behling Gren.  He married Gay Wood on August 21, 1959 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.  Vern was a kind, gentle soul who will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He moved with his family to Bountiful, Utah where he spent his childhood working in the family garden and attending the local schools.  He graduated from Davis High School and then served in the Eastern States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—spending most of his time in Kentucky and Tennessee.  Dad was an avid storyteller, and he would rejoice in telling anyone who would listen about growing up in Bountiful and serving people during his mission.

Vern was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings throughout his lifetime.

He held various jobs, but his favorite--and honestly our favorite, was driving a school bus for the Davis School District.  He loved making sure that every child who stepped on his bus knew that he cared and was looking out for them.  Dad had the amazing ability to recognize people who had ridden his bus at the age of 5 and were now adults.  We rarely went anywhere that Dad didn’t recognize someone that he knew.

Vern was an avid bird-watcher and spent his retirement visiting the local birding spots.  He also loved to walk and would spend his time gathering the errant golf balls along Bountiful Boulevard.  It was not unusual for him to collect dozens of golf balls and donate them to the high school golf teams every year.

Vern is survived by his wife, Gay; children: David, Cheryl, Kevin, Terry and Jennifer; and 2 grandchildren: Ryan and Haley.  He is also survived by brothers Jack Gren and Gary Gren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wayne Gren, his sister Verleen Larson, and his granddaughter Wendy Luker.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the caring medical professionals who took care of Vern during the past 1 ½ years—especially Becky, Alexis, and Russ with hospice who made it possible for us to keep Dad at home.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 am, Friday, July 12, 2019 at the Bountiful Tabernacle, 51 S. Main.  Friends may visit family Thursday, July 11th  from 6-8 pm at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary. 727 N. 400 E. and Friday from 9:45-10:45 am at the Church prior to services.  Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.

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