UUCN 1957

University of Utah College of Nursing 1957

Source: FamilySearch.org

In The Beginning…

While waiting for a class in high school, Dave Parker’s friend told him that he had just met the girl of his dreams, but with an unusual name: Wyoma. Thinking his friend was playing a joke on him, he refused to believe anyone would name their daughter “Wyoma” and dared his friend to introduce them… Shortly after high school, the two were married.

Facing the possibility of the Korean draft, Dave took and passed exams to qualify for admission to the US Air Force flight school in Texas (predecessor of the Air Force Academy) and was ultimately commissioned in the US Air Force. After his active duty tour in Alaska (playing chicken with the Russians), he got a job working at Thiokol and returned to college (USU). Finding himself with three children and a pregnant wife, he sat down with a counselor and reviewed all the courses he had taken (he had been taking anything that looked interesting without too much regard for a major). He determined that his quickest route to graduation was via a degree in education, which led to a position teaching math in junior high. Still in the Reserves, he was offered a full-time position with the Air National Guard where he served until his retirement in 1989 at the rank of Lt. Colonel.

Wyoma Heckmann was a farm girl from a little town in northern Utah. Although the farm is primarily focused on raising fruit trees, to provide for the needs of the family, Wyoma also learned the joys of milking cows, chasing calves, raising chickens, and all of the other activities associated with farm life. Because of this, when Dave arrived to pick her up for their first date, he found her tromping through the field toward the house covered in the results of a losing battle with a runaway calf. Hearing her muttered descriptions of the calf as she stormed through the field, Dave fell immediately in love. They were married a few years later.

Because Dave was still on active duty, they made their first home in Great Falls, Montana where they had their first child, Laura Jo. Shortly thereafter, they returned to Logan, Utah where they had four more children: twins Bruce and Becky, followed by Jill and then Shaula. (The name “Shaula” came from the name of a star Dave had learned to use in navigation.) By this time, Dave had accepted a full-time position with the Air National Guard which meant he was commuting some 70 miles from Logan to Salt Lake City and back each day. Due to the increasing heat of the Cold War, Dave was required to be closer to his Air Force Base. So, the family moved to Bountiful Utah where David and Wyoma spent the rest of their lives.

During the years that followed the family enjoyed many exciting adventures together, including one year spent in Alabama during the violent and controversial period of 1968 to 1969.

Lyndyl Hall Stambaugh Sorensen died Thursday January 5, 2022 at the age of 86. She was born and raised in Ely, Nevada, graduating with honors from White Pine High School in 1953. She was musical throughout her life, playing the piano, clarinet, and bass fiddle. She loved to sing. One thing is for sure, she never met an adventure she didn’t like, including having her pilot’s license. She sailed. She skied. She loved to hike, always bringing an empty garbage bag to leave the trails and mountains just a bit better than she met them. She stood at Machu Pichu in Peru and the Taj Mahal in India, with awe. She also cared for people throughout her career as an Intensive Care Nurse and attained the title of Deacon at the First Presbyterian Church.

Lyndyl attended the University of Utah, graduating in 1957. During her studies, she met and married Dr. John Larsen Sorensen, the love of her life. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary in 2016, spending nearly 25 years in Las Vegas before returning “home” to Logan, Utah. They had two daughters: Patricia Anne Davis and Holly Rovner. She is survived by her delightfully witty husband, Dr. John L. “Jack” Sorensen, daughter Patricia Davis (Wayne Davis), Logan, UT; and her sister Kayleen Hart Winkler of Medford, OR. 

She was especially proud of all her grandchildren: Erin Davis (Joseph Loersch) Middleton, WI.; Matthew Davis, Mason City, IA., Sarah Rovner, Houston, TX; Amy Rovner, (Stuart Derman), Salt Lake City; and Heather Rovner, (Daniel Schulz), Lakewood, WA. And three great-grandchildren.

Burial will be under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary. Viewing and services will be held on Saturday January 22nd at 12:00 pm at St John’s Episcopal Church, 85 E 100 N, Logan, Utah 84321. Viewing will be held from 10 am-11:30 am. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to a charity of your choice. The service will be broadcast for online viewing and can be viewed online via www.allenmortuaries.com.