RIP My Dear Sister-in-Law

Kayleen Nicole Tangreen
1982 ~ 2011
Our beloved Angel, Kayleen Nicole Tangreen, age 29, of Orem, passed away from pneumonia on November 4, 2011 at the Timpanogos Regional Hospital. She was born June 11, 1982 in Provo, Utah, a daughter of Dennis Tangreen and Wendy Bendio.
Kayleen graduated from High School at the Dan Peterson School in American Fork. She enjoyed going for rides, watching movies, going to the mall with her friends and working on craft projects at STEPS. She enjoyed Young Women's, Temple baptisms, Girls's Camp, Youth Conferences, and her love of the people around her.
She is survived by her father Dennis Tangreen, mother and step-father Wendy and Logan Bendio, her brothers and sister Todd (Katharine) Tangreen, Randy Tangreen and Rachel Tangreen. She is also survived by her grandparents Kay and Judy Tangreen, Ken and JoAnn Benson, great-grandparents Robert and Marjorie Roberts as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins that will all miss her greatly. She touched the lives of everyone who took the time to interact with her.
The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Topham's Care Center for the love and care that was shown to Kayleen over the years.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 8th, 2011 at 11:00 a.m at the Timp Park 1st Ward Chapel, 1000 North Main Street, Orem. A visitation will be held Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary, 495 South State Street, Orem, and also Tuesday at the ward chapel from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be in the Orem City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sundbergolpinmortuary.com

I was Honored to be able to speak at her funeral. My mother-in-law asked me to do the life sketch because she knew that she would not be able to get thru it without crying. So, here is what I said.

Kayleen Nicole Tangreen passed away Nov. 4th 2011 of pneumonia, she was 29 years old. Kayleen was born on June 11th 1982 at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center to Dennis Tangreen & Wendy Benson Bendio. She was a happy girl with an infectious smile. She touched everyone she met & made friends easily. She graduated from High School at Dan Peterson School in American Fork. After she Graduated she moved into Topham’s Care Center where she lived until she passed away. She Loved it there & they loved her.
    During her life she had many fun & special Experiences. She was able to go with her young women’s group to do baptisms for the dead. The young women & leaders helped her get dressed for the baptisms, she was the first to be baptized for the dead. She also attended girl’s camp & youth conference where a neighbor, Jeff Turner, carried her where her wheelchair could not got. She loved Jeff for that. She also worked with the young men & young women to beautify the neighborhood by carrying potted flowers on her wheelchair tray & delivering them where they were to be planted.
    When Kayleen went to work at STEPS, she enjoyed painting rocks & making a variety of crafts. She also liked working in the office and delivering papers. If she had money in her purse, which was most of the time, she would go shopping with friends.
    Kayleen had a lot of compassion for her friends & staff at STEPS, if one of them was having a bad day or sad she would stay by their side to let them know she cared by keeping them company until they felt better.
    She had quite a sense of humor. The first talker she had, she learned to push buttons to make it say “Brother is a pain” She loved her family, friends & all the people around her & was always smiling.
    Kayleen enjoyed singing. She would sing karaoke with her friends at Topham’s and she loved singing in Young Women’s.
    Jake, a friend at Topham’s, took her on a date to see a Toby Keith concert. Jake’s mom bought Kayleen the cutes western outfit, all the way down to the boots. The music was great & all Kayleen wanted to do was dance so, six foot Matt picked her up out of her wheelchair & danced with her. Then Karen, her leader at STEPS and friend, bought her a Toby Keith T-Shirt.
    Kayleen was one of the biggest flirts, when a good looking guy would walk in she was right by them trying to get their attention.
    Kayleen loved children & babies. When we would sit out in the foyer at church she would take the kids that came out of the chapel for rides around the Church. The first time Kayleen met her nephew Kayl both of them had the biggest smiles on their faces. It was a special moment to witness.
    Kayleen had a favorite scripture. 2 Timothy 1 7-8 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partakers of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God”
     She is survived by her father, Dennis Tangreen, her mother & step-father, Wendy & Logan Bendio, her sister Rachel, her brother Randy, her brother & sister-in-law Todd & Katharine Tangreen & her nephew Kayl. She is also survived by her grandparents Kay & Judy Tangreen, Ken & JoAnn Benson, and Great Grandparents Robert & Marjorie Robert, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, & cousins that will all miss her greatly.
    Kayleen was a special & wonderful Daughter & friend. Everyone is better having known her. She had a wonderful spirit that will always remain in our hearts. We miss you everyday Kayleen and we can’t wait to see you again.
    We love you with all of our hearts.