Spencer Kay Mendenhall

Spencer Kay Mendenhall of Springville, Utah passed away due to complications after surgery on March 24, 2012. He was 76 years old. He had been surrounded by and visiting with loving family members.



Kay was born in Payson, Utah on September 12, 1935 to Spencer Malin and Cora Chambers Mendenhall. He grew up in Payson and lived life to the fullest. He played every sport under the sun and taught swimming lessons as a youth. He was an accomplished athlete as well as musician. Kay received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University where he played clarinet in the band and also wrestled. Kay loved the outdoors and spent summers during college working for the forest service both in Utah and Idaho. Kay was a devout member of the LDS Church. He served an LDS mission in the North-Western States Mission. He married Marda Lee Hartvigsen of Santaquin in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 19, 1960. Kay was a high school business teacher for many years and enjoyed working with and mentoring the youth. After retiring from teaching school he worked in the insurance industry. He treasured the relationships he had with his students, friends and insurance customers. Kay played his clarinet right up until the end. He most recently enjoyed playing with the Nebo Philharmonic Orchestra and during the summer with the Payson Summer Band Concerts.



Kay loved watching and participating in sports. He stayed as active as he could be until physical limitations got in the way. He played basketball, tennis, skied, ran, wrestled, hiked and fished. He taught his kids, their friends and many others how to ski, play tennis, and swim. Summer days could always find him in the backyard with his kids and their friends with Kay spotting everyone in gymnastics stunts. He loved getting his grandkids in wrestling holds and testing their strength against his.



Kay had an exuberant spirit about life and all who knew him will miss his presence. He had a way of making everyone smile and we all feel blessed for having had him in our lives. We know he is soaring free and climbing the highest mountain he can see and fishing in a clear, cool stream.



Kay was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Keith. He is survived by his loving wife, Marda Lee Hartvigsen of Springville; his children: Jana Fronk of Springville. Michael (Robyn) Mendenhall of Salt Lake, Suzette (Scott) Sipple of South Jordan, Christy Mendenhall (Cameron Park) of Orem, Holly (Norven) Storrs of Springville; ten grandchildren which he thoroughly enjoyed: Brandy, Ryan, Kyle, Christian, Alec, Anna, Austin, Allison, Joshua and Lincoln; his sister Linda (Dave) Carter of Payson; brothers- & sisters-in-law Jessie Hartvigsen of Provo, Shirley (Bob) Peterson of West Valley, Sybil Hartvigsen of Dallas, Texas, Ace Hartvigsen of El Paso, Texas, Michelle Kiel of Washougal, Washington; his sweet Aunt Marsha Wilde of Provo, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.



Services will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Springville 2nd Ward Chapel, 1785 East 400 South in Springville. Family visiting will begin at 10:00a.m, memorial services will begin at 11:00a.m. Wheeler Mortuary in Springville is handling the arrangements.