Karel Govert Van Leeuwen

Karel Govert Van Leeuwen died on February 20, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born August 10, 1932, in Delft, Netherlands to Karel Govert Van Leeuwen and Catherina Koelmans.

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As a young man growing up in The Netherlands, Karel enjoyed football (soccer) and ice skating. He was studying to be a machinist prior to leaving The Netherlands with his family in November of 1951. After arriving in the United States he found employment with local trucking companies as a driver, trailer fabricator, trailer mechanical repairs and body work. Karel was very gifted with his hands and did excellent work both professionally and in anything he set out to do at home.

Shortly after arriving in Salt Lake City Karel became acquainted with Janna Dicou at weekend activities organized for Dutch immigrants. Karel and Janna spent time together ice skating, visiting the local canyons, Lagoon, and Bear Lake. After more than a year of courting, they were married June 1st 1956 and took up residence close to downtown Salt Lake City, Utah.

Karel was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1958 and sealed in the Salt Lake temple to Janna in 1959. This began a life time of service for both Karel and Janna as they accepted and fulfilled many church callings. Later they served together for several years as service missionaries in local hospitals and institutions. Karel always held fond feelings for his Dutch heritage and was able to return to The Netherlands twice in his life to visit family, but Karel was committed to using English once he arrived in the US and encouraged other family members to use English in public settings.

In early 1977, Karel and Janna moved to Murray, Utah, with their three children (Linda, Marcia and Robert) where they resided for forty-two years before their final move to West Jordan to be close to family.

Karel is survived by his dear wife Janna, daughters Linda (Lynn) Quilter, Marcia (Doug) Price, son Robert (Lori) Van Leeuwen, 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, brothers Anthony Van Leeuwen, Harro (Linda) Van Leeuwen, and sister Marion Walden.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Catharina Nieuwland, Sister Suzanna Dicou, and granddaughter Kristine Price Leighton.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023 at 11:00 AM with viewing held prior from 9:30 – 10:45 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Welby 6th Ward 8841 South 4800 West, West Jordan, Utah 84088. Interment will immediately follow at Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery 6500 South Redwood Road, West Jordan, Utah 84123.