Stephen Lynn Van Wagenen

Having completed an amazing life of love and service, Stephen Lynn Van Wagenen peacefully passed away on March 10, 2018. He was born in Provo, Utah to Rulon Clark and Leah Chipman Van Wagenen, and raised with two brothers in Provo, Los Angeles, and Fresno. He has lived in the Sacramento area since 1958 where he worked, raised his family, and enjoyed his retirement years. 

Many have known him as “Dr Van”, their kind and caring family physician who practiced in Citrus Heights and Carmichael for 40 years. Stephen also devoted his life to serving faithfully in numerous church callings including scoutmaster, bishop, stake president, full-time missionary, patriarch, temple worker and sealer. Knowing that the family is eternal, he prioritized and cherished his family roles as son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He especially loved family reunions, vacation trips, and birthday and holiday gatherings. Oil painting, growing roses, and traveling the world were among his hobbies. He loved outdoor family activities including camping, fishing, backpacking, horseback riding, snow and water skiing, and white-water rafting. 

Stephen knew how to “enjoy the journey” of life, working and playing hard, genuinely caring for people, and keeping a great sense of humor - marked by a very contagious laugh. Together with his wife, Arlene, he loved raising children - teaching them to work, to develop and live by faith, and to give service to others. He honored and taught about his noble ancestry, sharing their history and character, as a legacy to live up to. He taught and inspired others by his example, by his counsel and encouragement, and by sharing his unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

He is survived by: his brother Robert (Elizabeth) Van Wagenen; his loving wife, Kennen Whittle Steinagel Van Wagenen; his six children: Sandra (David) Mixa, Mark (Lisa) Van Wagenen, Brent (Anita) Van Wagenen, Ronald (Diana) Van Wagenen, Lorene (Joe) Laurence, and David (Lisa) Van Wagenen; seven step-children: Kendra (Gordon) Duval, Lane (Jenne) Steinagel, Deon (Jane) Steinagel, Laurel (Robert) Awerkamp, Sonja Steinagel, Brandon (Lori) Steinagel, and Mark (Kathie) Steinagel, as well as 57 Grandchildren and 50 Great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Arlene Deem Van Wagenen, his loving first wife and mother of their children, and Grandson Kevin David Van Wagenen. 

Friends and family are welcome to attend a visitation on FRIDAY, MARCH 16, from 4-8PM at PRICE FUNERAL CHAPEL (6335 Sunrise Blvd., 725-2109) and are invited to attend services celebrating his life on SATURDAY, MARCH 17, AT 10AM at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, Walerga Chapel (6450 Walerga Rd, North Highlands). Interment will follow at Sierra Hills Memorial Park (5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento). Online condolences can be posted at PriceFuneralChapel.com. Memorial contributions can be made on-line at LDS Philanthropies (https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/current-giving-opportunities).

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