Donald Delano Kvarfordt

Donald Delano Kvarfordt departed this life on Sunday August 12, 2018, after 85 full, productive, generous and happy years. His loving wife and partner of 64 years, Wilma, and their three children, Michael Kvarfordt (Lacey Petersen), Kristina Peterson (Kenneth) and Kimberli Stowe (Mark) were at his side.

Born to Fred and Goldie Kvarfordt on February 11, 1933 in Gothenburg, Nebraska, Don is the last of their children to depart, having been preceded by his four brothers and two sisters.

Part of a Swedish farming enclave in Nebraska in his early years, Don’s family left the Midwest due to the poor farming conditions, resulting from the effects of droughts and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The family of eight packed up one trailer with all of their possessions. They moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where Don attended Pocatello High School and Idaho State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business and pre-law.

When the family first arrived in Pocatello, Don’s father started a tire store, had his sons work in the store when they weren’t attending school and instilled in them the very strong work ethic and savvy business sense for which Don was known all his life.

Charming, friendly and striking a dashing image as early as high school, Don soon drew the attention of one bright, witty and beautiful underclassman, Wilma Lemmon, who recalls feeling “an electricity in my bones the first time I saw him in the hallway.” Thus sparked a most remarkable and loving relationship that lasted a lifetime.

Neither wanting the other to get away, they dated during Don’s early college years and married on December 17, 1954, in Pocatello, where they formally began their life together. As Don finished his college education, deferring his active military service by serving in the National Guard as a tank commander, Wilma worked at Nabisco nearby.

After Don’s graduation, he began his service in the U.S. Army, eventually working in Military Government. The newly married couple were first stationed in Augusta, Georgia, and then transferred to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, where he completed his service in 1958.

Upon returning to civilian life, Don considered entering the tire business as his father had done but was encouraged by his father to go into the bowling business. Don and Wilma chose Logan, Utah, to settle down and started Logan Lanes. Logan was a small but growing University town with loads of charm and nestled in a beautiful valley nearby all sorts of outdoor recreational opportunities. Don being an avid and accomplished water and snow skier, the Logan area was perfect for Don and Wilma and they have flourished there ever since.

After arriving in Logan and with a loan from his father, Don was able to purchase a plot of land at the far north end of the main town and, with Wilma, built Logan Lanes nearly 60 years ago. Friends told Don and Wilma that no one would drive out that far to bowl, causing them some temporary consternation. As the business grew, the City of Logan followed them out to Logan Lanes over the decades, with numerous small and major commercial enterprises now surrounding the once remote land parcel.

Wilma dove into the business with him as well and has worked with him all those 60 years. Along the way, Don served as president of the Utah State Bowling Association and was active in the local community, belonging to the Logan Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club. But what cheered him most about his beloved Logan Lanes was getting to know and becoming friends with all the bowlers…league, family and individual…who came to bowl, enjoy camaraderie and just have fun!

Although known for his hard work and some long hours building the business, Don’s favorite place to be was with his family and his favorite location was Bear Lake. He loved boating, teaching his kids and their friends to ski, making s’mores by the fire (where he usually just ate the chocolate bars), and being surrounded by the loving chaos created by his family and friends. He also had a life long love of cars and boats, old and new, often attending the various shows when they came to Utah.

As “a tough old Swede,” two years ago, Don survived a usually fatal aortic dissection. He declined the indicated major open-heart surgery (taking very long odds of survival to preserve his quality of life and not burden his family) and later underwent a successful brain bleed surgery. In both cases, his selfless concern was focused entirely on those around him and his courageous decisions, defying medical expectations, afforded him and his family the blessing of two additional fully functional, memorable, fun filled and healthy years. He succumbed after suffering a massive stroke Saturday but passed away peacefully Sunday morning.

Don is survived by his wife, Wilma, their three children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren, with another on the way.

The family would like to thank all of those who cared for Don at Logan Regional Hospital last weekend. We also are grateful for the care of his dedicated primary care physician, Dr. Brian Carlson and the Intermountain Health Care Neurosurgeon, Peter Maughan, in addition to the support and wise counsel provided by Dr. Kent and Cappey Jones.

Don guided his children throughout their lives, mentored his employees and served as an example to all who knew him, young and old, as a man of love, warmth, caring, generosity and integrity.

In lieu of flowers, please send checks to Bear River Mental Health Services at 90 East 200 North, Logan, UT 84321. Please specify in note section of the check, “Children’s Programming.” Alternatively, please donate to any local Logan charity of your choice.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 18th at 12 pm in the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center. There will be a visitation on Friday evening from 6-8 pm and also on Saturday from 10:30 - 11:30 am. Interment will follow at the Logan City Cemetery. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.allenmortuaries.com