Val Hogan

Val Dean Hogan, 72, passed away suddenly, on October 16, 2021, in LaVerkin, Utah. He was born on October 29, 1948, in Soda Springs, Idaho to Dean S. and Dorothy Andersen Hogan.

Val grew up on their family farm in Thatcher, Idaho where he was taught at a very young age to work hard. It didn’t matter if it was farm work, chores, or sports. He would tell of his memories of driving the one-ton truck across the river with his older sister Beverly and how she would control the steering wheel while he would work the pedals from the floor of the truck. Val also loved working on the farm alongside his dad and he was expected to do adult things. He also told of a time when he was younger when his dad sent him down to close a particular gate. Dorothy, his mother, didn’t think that he was quite big enough to complete the task, so she went down to check that the gate had been shut. Once she was down the hill, she could hear him cursing up a storm. She grabbed a nearby stick and headed toward him and when she got to him, she told him that what he was doing was not acceptable and she was going to swat him for it. As she walked towards him with her switch, his dog decided to protect him and was not about to let that happen so ran up to her and grabbed onto her leg. Needless to say, he was off the hook this time. Val treasured going back to the family farm and spending time with his family on the property.

Val graduated from Grace High School in 1967 where he was active in sports and was elected to be the Student Body President. He served an LDS mission in England. He attended Stevens- Henager College and Weber State College where he was also Student Body President for a time. Val made friends wherever he went. He married Patti Lloyd in 1973 in the Logan Temple, but were later divorced. They were blessed with 3 daughters: Danielle, Heather, and Ashlee. Val adored and supported his girls in all their activities.

He worked for Utah Power and Light, Soda Springs Elevator, and Farmers Grain Elevator in Grace. In 1981 he started at Great Western Malting in Pocatello. He worked there for 32 years, until his retirement in 2013. Great Western held a special place in his heart and he made many lifelong friends there. Val considered everyone family and he would have given the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He had a special talent of making everyone feel included.

On September 25, 1993 Val married Marie Izatt who once was his Junior Prom date. This would increase his family by adding 2 more daughters, Cindi and Trisha, to the mix. He welcomed them into his life and loved them like his own. Val dealt with 5 girls like a champ. He enjoyed going for drives and taking his girls to the plant (Great Western) for a visit.

You could always find Val down working in his shop. He loved doing woodwork and making all kinds of items for family and friends. He made sure all his granddaughters received cedar chests from him. He made toy trucks, animals, fences, birdhouses, shadow boxes, little girls' kitchens and the list goes on and on. We are so blessed and grateful to have the things he made for us to remind us of the love he held for each of us. To say that Val was proud of his grandkids is an understatement. They meant the world to him.

Val and Marie made the decision to sell their home in Pocatello 5 years ago. They loved the house they created where they made many memories and grew a beautiful yard but were ready for a new adventure. Val and Marie purchased a 5th wheel trailer which they moved from Hogan’s Holler in the spring to St. George for the winter for the last 5 years.

Val is survived by his loving wife Marie, 5 daughters: Danielle (Sheldon) Mansfield, Grace, Heather (Justin) Howe, Malad, Ashlee (Joe) Fitzen, Pocatello, Cindi (Dan) Witt, St. George, Trisha Winterbottom (Andy), Salt Lake, 17 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. His mother Dorothy Hogan, two sisters Beverly (Roger) Mickelson, Kaye (Dave) Summers and 1 brother Casey (Mary) Hogan and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Dean Hogan, mother-in-law Gloria Izatt, and a granddaughter Keltsie Mansfield.

We would like to thank everyone who has reached out to the family in so many ways. Words can’t express the loss we feel in our hearts, but we know that he is in a much better place and free from his pains. We know we have the best guardian angel watching over us.

We are honoring his wishes by not having a viewing or funeral but will have a celebration of life for him in the spring at his favorite place, his big tree in the Holler.