Dale Van Kampen

Dale Van Kampen was born on September 22, 1931, in Ogden, Utah, to Daniel and Afton Boman Van Kampen. He attended Birch Creek Elementary in South Ogden, Riverdale Junior High School in Riverdale, Utah, and went to Weber High School in North Ogden where he was active in the sport of wresting. During these same junior and high school years, he spent his summers in Driggs, Idaho, on the family Hereford ranch. After graduating from high school, Dale went on to attend one year of college at Weber Junior College, where he majored in Business Administration and was on the boxing team. In the late 1940's, Dale was issued a call to serve a mission in the Netherlands, Dutch Mission for 2 ½ years for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which covered Belgium and Holland. In Belgium, he served as a Branch President and in Holland he served as a Zone Leader. Upon his return to the United States, he was drafted into the Military (Army) and spent two years in the Korean War where he obtained the rank of Sargent. After his service in Korea, he returned home and joined the family furniture business in Ogden, Utah. It was in Ogden where he met and married Marba Rae Smith on August 8, 1957, in the Salt Lake City Temple. They settled in Idaho to assume operations of the Van Kampen furniture store in Idaho Falls, a branch of the Ogden store. During his life, Dale was active in the LDS Church, serving in many teaching and leadership positions, including several years on the high council in two different stakes. Dale was also involved in many civic affairs in the community where he served as a member and President of the East Idaho Falls Kiwanis Club. As a local business owner, he ran Van Kampen’s carpet and furniture for 46 years. In 2002, he handed the reigns and management of the business to his two sons, Blake and Robb, but remained active in the business (going to work every day) until his death. One of the main hobbies that the family shared was boating, a love that many family members still share today. Dale loved to build and remodel things, which took much of his spare time, both at home, at his children’s homes, and at work. His love for nice cars was evident all his life and it was hard on him when he could not drive anymore. In his senior years, the loves of his life were his grandchildren, who he loved and cherished beyond measure from the youngest to the oldest. He also enjoyed visiting with the many friends he’d made while in the furniture business, living in the neighborhood, and at church. In Dale’s own words, his loving wife, Rae, to him, was what life was really about. "She was the one that molded the family together, inspired and guided the family in whatever they did, through love, respect and discipline. And later, as the children left home for lives of their own, Rae became a partner with me in the family business, at which time, the store appearance improved dramatically. Her ability to communicate was one of her virtues that touched many people’s lives." He is survived by his four children, Scott (Deanna) Van Kampen of Layton, UT, Shelly (Michael) Lehto, Blake (Paula) Van Kampen and Robb Van Kampen, all of Idaho Falls; and brothers, Brent (Pattie Rae) Van Kampen of Murray, UT and Dan (Kay) Van Kampen of Ogden, UT. Dale and Rae have ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and counting. Dale was preceded in death by his lovely wife, Rae, and his parents, Dan and Afton Van Kampen of Ogden, Utah. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2017, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services, both times at Wood’s. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.

Funeral Services will be held