Photo courtesy of Broomhead Funeral Home - Riverton
Aug 8, 1939 - Nov 16, 2025
What a beautiful legacy your father leaves you all.
I was blessed to know and love Brian as a teen (and still do).
Brian you learned well from your parents to serve others.
I have been the recipient of Brians service many times over the years.
My prayers are with you Brian, Lindsay, your children and entire family at the loss of such a wonderful husband, father and grandpa.
Kathy Richins
November 21, 2025 | Sandy, UT
He was a very good friend. We lived in the same neighborhood in Sandy, Utah where all of us raised our kids. Loved Annie and all their kids. Jess and Virginia Peterson and family sending our love and have you All in our thoughts today!
Jess and Virginia Peterson Peterson
November 20, 2025 | Oak City, UT | Friend
Exquisite Tribute Standing Spray
Aroy-D thai cuisine
November 19, 2025
Dear MaryAnn
So sorry to hear about Gordon but know he is healthy and happy and patiently waiting for you! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family at this tender time. We all have many many wonderful memories of your family and love each and every one of you, you were some of our best neighbors! Many prayers, kind thoughts and LOVE to the Van family forever.
Love Linda and girls
Linda Law
November 19, 2025 | UT | Neighbor
Gordon Lee Van Ballegooie, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at his home in Eagle Mountain, Utah, at the age of 86. Surrounded by his family, he departed this world wrapped in the warmth of their love. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, friendship, and faith.
Gordon was born on August 8, 1939, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ephraim Joseph Van Ballegooie and Evalyn Zenda Steffensen. He was raised in Salt Lake City, where he attended South High School before continuing his education at the University of Utah, earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
In 1965, he married the love of his life, MaryAnn Blodgett. Together with his Annie, they raised seven children and built a home filled with hard work, service, laughter, and deep devotion. Family was always his highest priority. He worked tirelessly to provide for them, serving as a State Medicaid Fraud Auditor and often taking on additional part-time jobs to ensure every need was met.
He found joy in life’s simple pleasures such as family gatherings, gentle teasing, river running, camping, fishing, neighborhood baseball, reading, and stamp collecting. A faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served in many callings throughout his life, including as a service missionary at the Riverton Family History Center and as a temple worker. His willingness to help anyone in need was unwavering, and through his quiet example he taught his children and grandchildren the value of service.
Slow to anger and quick to tease, he loved a good challenge. He was a math whiz and an avid chess player, and his family affectionately knew him as “the nerd with a pocket protector,” always prepared with a pen at the ready. His legacy of kindness, curiosity, and steadfast love will live on in all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Norma Jean Scoffield and sister Shirley Allred, daughter-in-law Collette, granddaughter Caitlin, and and son-in-law Mark. He is survived by his daughter Jenny Cardwell, Sheila Thomason (Mark), Wendi Gates (Rod), David VanBallegooie, John VanBallegooie (Jennifer), Cheryl Gurney (Kevin), Brian VanBallegooie (Lindsey), Steve VanBallegooie (Pair), 27 grandchildren, their spouses, and 33 great grandchildren. He will be profoundly missed by all who were touched by his love and devoted service.
Friends and family are invited to gather for a viewing on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, at church building located at 1208 West 12400 South Riverton, UT from 5:00-7:00pm. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Monday, November 24th, 2025, at 11:00 am. A brief viewing will also be held Monday before the funeral from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Interment will be at Riverton City Cemetery located at 1500 West 13200 South Riverton, UT.
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