Wayne Straatman

Biography

Our beloved father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, neighbor, and friend passed away peacefully after battling cancer on January 26, 2014. Wayne C. Straatman was born on March 6, 1939, in Dordrecht, Netherlands, to Daniel and Neeltje Straatman; the oldest of 8 children. In June of 1951 after surviving the Nazi Occupation of their homeland, his family packed up and moved to America. They began their life in Salt Lake City, UT. Upon graduating from Cyprus High School, Wayne moved to Logan to attend Utah State University. He received an internship in Chesterfield Idaho. He moved there to chase his dream of becoming a cowboy. He served an honorable LDS mission in Arizona on the Native American Reservations; speaking the Navajo language. Once he returned home from his mission, Wayne continued his dream of the western lifestyle. Soon after he married Nancy Gay Muir in the Logan LDS Temple (later divorced) . Together they had five sons he took great pride in. Wayne eventually left Chesterfield and again moved to Cache Valley to attend college where he also worked on the dairy farm at Utah State University. His love for the West would lead to competing in rodeos as a calf and team roper. He had a keen eye for buying and selling cattle and had a natural ability with animals. He also loved to be involved with horse and cutter racing. He could often be found at the track watching and cheering for his own horses as well as those of his friends. Because Wayne had an ability to make friends easily and people were drawn to his personality, he found much satisfaction in driving tour bus for Lewis Bros Stages for several years. He had a knack for telling stories and people loved to listen. In his later years Wayne took on the trade of plumbing and worked for his final 14 years with Shamrock Plumbing in North Salt Lake where he made many dear friends.
Wayne is survived by his five sons: Hugh (Celia) Manila, UT., Clint (Christy) Bountiful, UT., Steve (Jessica) Rigby, ID., Lane (Natalie) Young Ward, UT., Don (Billie Ann) Grace, ID.; 17 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 3 brothers; and 4 sisters. He is preceded in death by his Mother and Father and his brother-in-law. A special thank you to his friend VaLinda Child and her family for making Wayne as much a part of their family as he was ours. We also appreciate all the care and compassion shown by Hospice and North Canyon Care Center towards our father.
A viewing will be on Saturday, February 1, 2014 from 11:00am – 12:45pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery, Bountiful, Utah.

Funeral Service

Saturday February 1, 2014, 1:00 at Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary
Click for Map and Directions

A viewing will be on Saturday, February 1, 2014 from 11:00am – 12:45pm at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm. Interment at Bountiful City Cemetery, Bountiful, Utah.