Wayne Teeples

WAYNE NIELSON TEEPLES

Wayne Nielson (Niel) Teeples age 82, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, July 13, 2021 in Bountiful, Utah. Niel was born July 18, 1938 in Torrey, Wayne County, Utah to Dwendon Alanson Teeples and Zelpha Nielson Teeples. He was born at home along with his identical twin who passed away at birth.

Niel graduated from South High School in 1957, enlisting in the Army Reserves his junior year where he served for 8 years. Following high school, he sang in the Sacra Dulce Chorus and the Salt Lake Symphonic Choir. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Sweden, Stockholm Mission 1959-1961. There wasn’t an MTC back then so he learned to speak Swedish in the field and enjoyed speaking it through the end of his life. He attended the University of Utah for a year and graduated from the Salt Lake Trade Technical Institute in 1962 in architectural drafting. He served as Alumni Association president of the Institute and taught architectural drafting evening classes there for 11 years. Niel was an associate member of the American Institute of Architects, and appreciated his many experiences in the field of architecture for 45 years. His dependable work ethic was learned from his father. He was known for his fine work and attention to detail. Notable projects include work on the Delta Center, Vernal Temple, Joseph Smith Building / South Temple renovation, just to name a few. He retired from Architecture in 2008.

In 1962 he met Donna Kay Woffinden at a dance and kissed her on their first date! They were married in the Logan Utah Temple September 7, 1962 and are the parents of six children.  He loved Donna first and foremost and was always a gentleman. Family was his greatest joy and his tender heart made each member feel loved and special. Niel has 25 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. He always looked for opportunities to encourage and support every one of them. He enjoyed attending family member concerts, plays, sporting events, and every birthday and family get together we had.  Niel took great care in packing up the canvas tarp, wrapping the camping equipment on top of the well-worn red station wagon with ropes, rubber bands, duct tape or other secure methods. Family camping took place generally in the red rock country of his birth near Capital Reef National Monument and the Henry Mountains in southern Utah. He passed on his love of fishing to several of his posterity as he was able to spend time with them individually.

Niel was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings. Being an avid reader and gospel scholar, his favorite calling was teaching. He was a man of faith who truly taught by example. He was well known for loving and serving his neighbors through tilling their gardens and sharing produce from his own, clearing snow and lending a listening ear. Every year on his own birthday he bought his mother flowers to honor her for giving him birth from the time he was in Jr High School until her death at age 90.

Following retirement, he and Donna served a full time mission at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah where he served as zone leader in International Services, 2010-2012.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his identical stillborn twin, brother Dwendon Dale Teeples, sister Carol Teeples Smith and brother-in-law Mel Smith.

Niel is survived by his wife of 58 years, Donna, and his six children Shauna (Dave) White, Allan (Yuki) Teeples, Doug (LaDenea) Teeples, Laura (Peter) Wiscombe, Ruth (Shawn) Petersen and Rebecca (Steve) Jensen. Sister Loraine (David) Bunker, sister-in-law Wilhelmina (Dale) Teeples.

Thanks to the great support of family and friends and the staff at IMHC for loving and professional care given to Niel over the last few months.

There will be a Viewing on Sunday, July 18, 2021 from 6-8pm at Lindquist’s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E. Bountiful, UT. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00am Monday, July 19, 2021 at the Kimball Mill Ward, 650 S. 200 E. Bountiful, where family and friends may visit from 9:30-10:30am prior to the service.  Interment will follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery.

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