Gail Van Horbek Bell
1936 - 2022
Gail Van Horbek Bell passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022, in her home. She was born September 21, 1936, to George Van Horbek and Vida King Van Horbek. She grew up in Salt Lake City, along with her older sister, Betty. She began her musical training at age eight with piano lessons, which she faithfully continued into her high school years, becoming a very accomplished pianist. While not really a tomboy growing up, she did love the outdoors with her family: camping, hunting, fishing and being her dad's retriever. She also adored her two nephews, Dick and Mike, considering them her younger brothers with whom she played and grew up.
She met David Bell in her first year of high school. They became friends, and later, sweethearts. Just two years after graduating from high school, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1956. They lived in Gail's parents' home in a basement apartment until David graduated from the University of Utah. It was there that their firstborn, John David, was born. Then they moved to Sandy, Utah, where their second child, Susan was born. They moved to Southern California in 1962, as David accepted a job there working for Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They first lived in Altadena while building a home in La Crescenta. It was there that Joseph Edward was born, followed by James Arthur, and Karen. The family moved to a larger home in La Cañada that same year. These years were filled with all the busyness that comes with raising five children. Of note, during this time frame, were three wonderful cross-country long-term trips to Florida for David's work in the Space Program, and rocket launchings of that era, (1964, 1967, and 1969).
Besides being a loving mother and homemaker, Gail taught piano lessons, completed nursing school, and worked in a hospital, doctor's office, and for Glendora School District as a nurse and clerical worker.
Life took a brief detour in 1972 when they moved back to Salt Lake to restore Gail's grandparents' home. But in 1973, they moved back to La Cañada, where they stayed until 1977, when again life took a short detour and move to Beaver, Utah. There David worked as a handyman and Gail opened a small craft store on their property. After two years, they returned to Southern California, eventually settling in San Dimas. After the children were all grown, Gail and Dave moved to Orem, Utah, in 1992. Dave took early retirement from JPL and they opened a children's bookstore in downtown Provo - The Wee Bookshop. Gail loved using her creative talents running this shop for five years.
Her two passions have always been music and family history work. She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Dave at the ROC – Research Operations Center from 2015 to 2017. She was also a ward organist for many years.
Gail is survived by her loving husband, David E. Bell; five children: John D, Bell (Rhonda) Susan Blake (Duane) Joseph E. Bell (Kim) James A. Bell (Nancy) and Karen Arteaga (Isaac); 16 grandchildren: Thomas, Nathan, Tami, Lisa, Jacob, Alan, Dennis, Christopher, Aislinn, Alyson, Kayla, Caitrin, Meghan, Andrew, Eamon, and Treasa; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Betty Humphries.
Funeral: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Orem Park 2nd Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
Arrangements: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Service Option: Livestreamed via Zoom
Interment: Orem City Cemetery
Original obituary published by:
— Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary | Feb 2022
1936 - 2022
Gail Van Horbek Bell passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022, in her home. She was born September 21, 1936, to George Van Horbek and Vida King Van Horbek. She grew up in Salt Lake City, along with her older sister, Betty. She began her musical training at age eight with piano lessons, which she faithfully continued into her high school years, becoming a very accomplished pianist. While not really a tomboy growing up, she did love the outdoors with her family: camping, hunting, fishing and being her dad's retriever. She also adored her two nephews, Dick and Mike, considering them her younger brothers with whom she played and grew up.
She met David Bell in her first year of high school. They became friends, and later, sweethearts. Just two years after graduating from high school, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1956. They lived in Gail's parents' home in a basement apartment until David graduated from the University of Utah. It was there that their firstborn, John David, was born. Then they moved to Sandy, Utah, where their second child, Susan was born. They moved to Southern California in 1962, as David accepted a job there working for Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They first lived in Altadena while building a home in La Crescenta. It was there that Joseph Edward was born, followed by James Arthur, and Karen. The family moved to a larger home in La Cañada that same year. These years were filled with all the busyness that comes with raising five children. Of note, during this time frame, were three wonderful cross-country long-term trips to Florida for David's work in the Space Program, and rocket launchings of that era, (1964, 1967, and 1969).
Besides being a loving mother and homemaker, Gail taught piano lessons, completed nursing school, and worked in a hospital, doctor's office, and for Glendora School District as a nurse and clerical worker.
Life took a brief detour in 1972 when they moved back to Salt Lake to restore Gail's grandparents' home. But in 1973, they moved back to La Cañada, where they stayed until 1977, when again life took a short detour and move to Beaver, Utah. There David worked as a handyman and Gail opened a small craft store on their property. After two years, they returned to Southern California, eventually settling in San Dimas. After the children were all grown, Gail and Dave moved to Orem, Utah, in 1992. Dave took early retirement from JPL and they opened a children's bookstore in downtown Provo - The Wee Bookshop. Gail loved using her creative talents running this shop for five years.
Her two passions have always been music and family history work. She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Dave at the ROC – Research Operations Center from 2015 to 2017. She was also a ward organist for many years.
Gail is survived by her loving husband, David E. Bell; five children: John D, Bell (Rhonda) Susan Blake (Duane) Joseph E. Bell (Kim) James A. Bell (Nancy) and Karen Arteaga (Isaac); 16 grandchildren: Thomas, Nathan, Tami, Lisa, Jacob, Alan, Dennis, Christopher, Aislinn, Alyson, Kayla, Caitrin, Meghan, Andrew, Eamon, and Treasa; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Betty Humphries.
Funeral: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Orem Park 2nd Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
Arrangements: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Service Option: Livestreamed via Zoom
Interment: Orem City Cemetery
Original obituary published by:
— Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary | Feb 2022
Gail Van Horbek Bell
1936 - 2022
Gail Van Horbek Bell passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022, in her home. She was born September 21, 1936, to George Van Horbek and Vida King Van Horbek. She grew up in Salt Lake City, along with her older sister, Betty. She began her musical training at age eight with piano lessons, which she faithfully continued into her high school years, becoming a very accomplished pianist. While not really a tomboy growing up, she did love the outdoors with her family: camping, hunting, fishing and being her dad's retriever. She also adored her two nephews, Dick and Mike, considering them her younger brothers with whom she played and grew up.
She met David Bell in her first year of high school. They became friends, and later, sweethearts. Just two years after graduating from high school, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1956. They lived in Gail's parents' home in a basement apartment until David graduated from the University of Utah. It was there that their firstborn, John David, was born. Then they moved to Sandy, Utah, where their second child, Susan was born. They moved to Southern California in 1962, as David accepted a job there working for Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They first lived in Altadena while building a home in La Crescenta. It was there that Joseph Edward was born, followed by James Arthur, and Karen. The family moved to a larger home in La Cañada that same year. These years were filled with all the busyness that comes with raising five children. Of note, during this time frame, were three wonderful cross-country long-term trips to Florida for David's work in the Space Program, and rocket launchings of that era, (1964, 1967, and 1969).
Besides being a loving mother and homemaker, Gail taught piano lessons, completed nursing school, and worked in a hospital, doctor's office, and for Glendora School District as a nurse and clerical worker.
Life took a brief detour in 1972 when they moved back to Salt Lake to restore Gail's grandparents' home. But in 1973, they moved back to La Cañada, where they stayed until 1977, when again life took a short detour and move to Beaver, Utah. There David worked as a handyman and Gail opened a small craft store on their property. After two years, they returned to Southern California, eventually settling in San Dimas. After the children were all grown, Gail and Dave moved to Orem, Utah, in 1992. Dave took early retirement from JPL and they opened a children's bookstore in downtown Provo - The Wee Bookshop. Gail loved using her creative talents running this shop for five years.
Her two passions have always been music and family history work. She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Dave at the ROC – Research Operations Center from 2015 to 2017. She was also a ward organist for many years.
Gail is survived by her loving husband, David E. Bell; five children: John D, Bell (Rhonda) Susan Blake (Duane) Joseph E. Bell (Kim) James A. Bell (Nancy) and Karen Arteaga (Isaac); 16 grandchildren: Thomas, Nathan, Tami, Lisa, Jacob, Alan, Dennis, Christopher, Aislinn, Alyson, Kayla, Caitrin, Meghan, Andrew, Eamon, and Treasa; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Betty Humphries.
Funeral: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Orem Park 2nd Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
Arrangements: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Service Option: Livestreamed via Zoom
Interment: Orem City Cemetery
Original obituary published by:
— Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary | Feb 2022
1936 - 2022
Gail Van Horbek Bell passed away peacefully on February 1, 2022, in her home. She was born September 21, 1936, to George Van Horbek and Vida King Van Horbek. She grew up in Salt Lake City, along with her older sister, Betty. She began her musical training at age eight with piano lessons, which she faithfully continued into her high school years, becoming a very accomplished pianist. While not really a tomboy growing up, she did love the outdoors with her family: camping, hunting, fishing and being her dad's retriever. She also adored her two nephews, Dick and Mike, considering them her younger brothers with whom she played and grew up.
She met David Bell in her first year of high school. They became friends, and later, sweethearts. Just two years after graduating from high school, they were married in the Salt Lake Temple in 1956. They lived in Gail's parents' home in a basement apartment until David graduated from the University of Utah. It was there that their firstborn, John David, was born. Then they moved to Sandy, Utah, where their second child, Susan was born. They moved to Southern California in 1962, as David accepted a job there working for Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They first lived in Altadena while building a home in La Crescenta. It was there that Joseph Edward was born, followed by James Arthur, and Karen. The family moved to a larger home in La Cañada that same year. These years were filled with all the busyness that comes with raising five children. Of note, during this time frame, were three wonderful cross-country long-term trips to Florida for David's work in the Space Program, and rocket launchings of that era, (1964, 1967, and 1969).
Besides being a loving mother and homemaker, Gail taught piano lessons, completed nursing school, and worked in a hospital, doctor's office, and for Glendora School District as a nurse and clerical worker.
Life took a brief detour in 1972 when they moved back to Salt Lake to restore Gail's grandparents' home. But in 1973, they moved back to La Cañada, where they stayed until 1977, when again life took a short detour and move to Beaver, Utah. There David worked as a handyman and Gail opened a small craft store on their property. After two years, they returned to Southern California, eventually settling in San Dimas. After the children were all grown, Gail and Dave moved to Orem, Utah, in 1992. Dave took early retirement from JPL and they opened a children's bookstore in downtown Provo - The Wee Bookshop. Gail loved using her creative talents running this shop for five years.
Her two passions have always been music and family history work. She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with Dave at the ROC – Research Operations Center from 2015 to 2017. She was also a ward organist for many years.
Gail is survived by her loving husband, David E. Bell; five children: John D, Bell (Rhonda) Susan Blake (Duane) Joseph E. Bell (Kim) James A. Bell (Nancy) and Karen Arteaga (Isaac); 16 grandchildren: Thomas, Nathan, Tami, Lisa, Jacob, Alan, Dennis, Christopher, Aislinn, Alyson, Kayla, Caitrin, Meghan, Andrew, Eamon, and Treasa; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Betty Humphries.
Funeral: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Location: Orem Park 2nd Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
Arrangements: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
Service Option: Livestreamed via Zoom
Interment: Orem City Cemetery
Original obituary published by:
— Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary | Feb 2022
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