Jan Marinus DeWolf

Jan Marinus DeWolf was born April 23, 1938 to Jan and Maria Mooij DeWolf in The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands. Died June 10, 2021 in Bountiful, Utah, after a long struggle with cancer.

Married Gerritje Dicou April 7, 1960, later divorced.

Married Marilyn Farnsworth September 1, 1978, later sealed in the Ogden, Utah Temple. Jan and Marilyn were devoted to each other for nearly 38 years, then cancer took her and left him grieving and lonely.

Life sketch-

Jan’s family emigrated to the United States in 1954 on the ship HMS Grootebeer, heading for Zion after surviving the Nazi occupation of their homeland. Jan was the oldest of six children who struggled to survive WWII, eating tulip bulbs and potato peels and burning all but the skeleton of their house for warmth.

Following the war, Jan spent weeks in a sanitarium where he was not expected to survive the starvation he endured.

The DeWolf family was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the miraculous healing of son Richard after being blessed by church elders.

In 1957, Jan joined the US Army and served 9 years in the medical corps in MASH units and field hospitals serving in Korea, Germany and stateside.

Jan had a beautiful singing voice and loved performing. He performed throughout Utah, Idaho, Germany and Korea. In 1964 he conceived the “John D” Show and spent years entertaining people with his variety road show.

Jan was an ordinance worker in the Bountiful Temple for 10 years; served 10 years in the Bountiful 58^th Ward Bishopric; served 6 years with Marilyn as service missionaries at the Conference Center, then continued to serve after her passing there and at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Jan’s favorite callings and service always centered around music and the church.

His bucket list was accomplished as Jan wrote poems, composed a hymn, compiled a book and recorded a CD.

In his life, Jan worked as a pastry baker helper, laundry steam press operator, picture frame maker, furniture warehouseman, surgical orderly, insurance salesman, saw operator, warehouse and quality control supervisor, voice teacher, massage therapist and food bank volunteer.

Please support the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Center in honor of Jan.

Jan’s final testimony is as follows:

“Let it be known that I love my Lord and my Father in Heaven, in whom all my hopes and dreams are centered. I love all my family and Marilyn’s family very much and am grateful for their constant love and caring.

Survived by sisters: Mary Blacksher and Sonja (David) Dove; and brothers: Richard (Glenda) DeWolf, Dirk (Dixie) DeWolf; brother-in-law, Monte Rouska; and many nieces and nephews.

Also survived by his bonus family through Marilyn: sister: Joanne Milich and brother: Eldon (Bonnie) Farnsworth and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents; loving wife Marilyn, sister, Moroni Rouska and brother-in-law, Homer Blacksher.

Special thanks to Jan’s awesome Elevation Hospice Team and Legacy House and many friends and neighbors. You were a wonderful blessing!

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 19, 2021 at the Bountiful 58^th Ward Building, 200 West 200 North Bountiful, Utah, where friends and family may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn in Salt Lake City.