Donald 'K' Edvalson

Don K Edvalson, 81, passed away in the Logan Hospital after a series of serious health problems including kidney failure, bacterial infection, heart failure and cancer. Don was born July 29, 1922 in La Grande, Oregon as the oldest of 4 boys born to Eric Theodore and Lena Frieda Kohler Edvalson. He spent his early childhood on a ranch near Union, Oregon and graduated from Union High School where he was active in FFA and the band. He excelled in vocational agriculture and shop classes. After graduation from High School, he went to work for Lockheed Aircraft at their plant in California and helped make B-24 aircraft for the World War 2 effort. He had always been interested in airplanes, so from California, he joined the Army Air Corps and was sent to England for three years to maintain and repair the planes after their air raids over Germany. At the end of the war, he served a mission for the LDS church in Sweden. When he returned from his mission, he decided to take advantage of the GI bill and so he enrolled in the Vocational Agriculture program at what was then Utah State Agricultural College. It was at a church YM-YW activity that he met his eternal sweetheart, Beverly Johansen and they were married July 16, 1954 in the Logan Temple. The marriage took place just a month after he graduated from college and he accepted a position as an agriculture teacher in Big Piney, WY in June. Off to Big Piney he went and secured an apartment and had it ready when Beverly joined him after their marriage. They both taught school there for 2 years but Don developed severe allergic reactions to the cattle he worked with so the couple decided they had to find a new line of work. Inasmuch as they both loved crafts, woodworking and hobbies, they purchased a house and store on Brigham City?s Main Street and opened a hobbies and crafts store in addition to Don?s work as an elementary school teacher at the Bunderson Elementary School. After 10 years in Brigham and the arrival of 2 children, Don Jr. and Kristy Joan, they moved to Logan. Another son, Scott, joined the family in Logan. Don secured a Masters degree in Elementary Education and an Elementary Principals Certificate. He was offered a job as a principal of the Howell Elementary School in Box Elder County so they moved to Tremonton, where they lived for the next 18 years. Here Don became very active in the Tremonton Lions Club, serving as president and editor of their news letter. He was also president of the Box Elder Principal?s association and a member of the Box Elder County Fair Board- designing and constructing the Tremonton City Display for 4 years. He was the Principal of the Fielding Elementary School and later the Honeyville Elementary school. He was a leader in the introduction of computers to the Elementary School classroom and functioned as the County Computer Specialist for the Board of Education. Don also served in numerous church callings including Sunday School Superintendent, High Priests Group Leader and Stake Librarian. After his retirement, the couple moved back to Logan and became active Temple workers. Don also worked in the Family History Center. Don always loved photography and family history research and he created numerous family history books and did photograph copy work of heirloom photographs for many families. He is survived by his wife, Beverly, three children: Don, Kristy and Scott, ten grandchildren: Andy, Sarah, Dallin, Steven, Leslie and Joseph of Florida, Krystalee, Jamilin, and Danielle Deek of Logan, and Randi of Nibley, who all dearly loved Grandpa Don; his brother Elmer Glenda Edvalson of Milton-Frewater, Oregon and his brother in law Don Mary Alla Clayton Johansen of Portland, Oregon. The family wishes to give thanks to Dr. Strong, the staff of the IHC Hospital ICU Department, the nurses and aides at the Logan Rehabilitation Center and his therapists for the compassion and kindness they showed Don during his illness. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, May 24, 2004 at 1:00 PM at the Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North, in Logan Utah. A viewing will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday evening and from 12:00 noon till 12:45 on Monday. Burial will take place at the Logan Cemetery after the funeral services. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .