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Paul Mendenhall Obituary
Paul Wendell Mendenhall was born August 26, 1931 in Mapleton, Utah to
Wealtha Spafford Mendenhall and Wendell Mendenhall. Paul's passions were his family, cutting horses, church service, and football.
Paul's early years were spent in Ogden, Utah; however, he attended elementary, junior high, and high school in Stockton, California. He played football in high school and was recruited by Stanford University but chose to play for Brigham Young University instead. After graduating from BYU he was drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers but chose not to accept the offer in lieu of working in real estate, investments, and raising quarter horses.
As a young man, Paul served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand. He learned to speak the Maori language fluently and immersed himself in Maori culture. Later in his life he served as Mission President in Auckland, New Zealand. He had a deep love for the Maori people and all of Polynesia.
Paul was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities including bishop, in the stake presidency, and as patriarch. He was also a temple patron.
Paul married Lenore Vandenberg in 1954. He is survived by his wife and four sons: Michael John, Mathew Wendell, Martin Paul, and Marc Bronco Clay.
Wednesday viewing 6-8 PM
Thursday viewing 10-11:30 AM
Service 12:00
Address: 327 Long Court Drive, Alpine UT 84004
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Mendenhall
Lyle Kitchin
August 8, 2019
My Condolences to Sister Mendenhall and her family.
It was a sad to hear of Brother Mendenhall aka President Mendenhall passing.
It was a blessing to serve with the both of you and Brother Mendenhall had a great spirituality and humor about him.
Judie Limbaugh
August 1, 2019
Mendenhall family. I'm saddened at your loss. I served as an older sister missionary in New Zealand and so enjoyed President and Sister Mendenhall. They were a delight and President Mendenhall could tell the funniest stories and was a giant of a man spiritually and an inspiration to me. My mission to New Zealand changed my life as my testimony grew by leaps and bounds and I am a different person for the better for the tremendous experience that I had with President Mendenhall. I have very fond memories of that experience that I will never forget. President Mendenhall will be greatly missed.
August 1, 2019
Mendenhall Familym
Love and Light...
Steve and Shelly Williams
July 31, 2019
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Kathleen Bird Weir
July 31, 2019
My condolences to the Mendenhall family. My sister and I were so grateful that Pres. Mendenhall spoke at our mothers funeral. My parents loved the Mendenhall family especially Paul's parents. Pres. Mendenhall was a great example of a disciple of Christ. Much aroha to your family.
Bob and Cindy Wakefield
July 31, 2019
Bob and Cindy Wakefield
July 31, 2019
Dear Mendenhall Family. We rejoice in the outstanding life, lived well by Husband, Father, Servant of the Lord and friend, Paul Mendenhall. We enjoyed sitting beside the Mendenhalls at the BYU Firesides, supporting Bronco, Holly and family. You have had the best of the best in example and deed and will look forward to your reunion in Heaven some day. Much Love, Bob and Cindy Wakefield
DIANA LARSEN
July 31, 2019
One of my fondest memories is when Bishop Mendenhall and Lenore came to our home for dinner after we had finished fixing up our home on Center Street. Paul and Lenore were delightful! They stayed after dinner for a few hours and played Charades with us; a good time was had by all. Was so very kind of them to grace our home with their presence. Thank you!
My sincere condolences, Lenore, to you and your family; may our Heavenly Father bless and comfort you in your great loss.
Love,
Diana Nielson Larsen
July 31, 2019
President Mendenhall we love you and thank you for your service. I found myself on the mission field. Thank you for allowing me to serve the people of the North my entire mission (3 months Whangarei & 19 months Kaikohe). You have been an inspiration and I will be eternally grateful for you and Sister Mendenhall. Kia Kaha James Fa'Aoso (Elder Fa'Aoso) your missionary.
Ken Caldwell
July 30, 2019
This man is a powerhouse. Tough as nails, funny, unique, but would tear up in a second as he would speak of his Savior, his family, and the Maori people. He was a father figure to many of us in the mission. He taught me many things but one of the most cherished was to be true and be genuine. His sense of humor was much needed at times. Even when I knew the pressures were high of running the mission, he would show his strength by using humor to prepare us. I've never laughed, cried, and felt the Spirit all at the same time until President came into our mission. He was a master teacher as he taught with personal experience, humor, scriptures, and just pure love. One of the best sermons I ever saw was when Sister Mendenhall would enter the room. He was so in love! She tamed him right down with her grace and classy demeanor. I loved to watch that spark that was so apparent. Today I bow my head to a true warrior that has moved on and I will honor his name all my days. I live and understand Christ's teachings better because I had the chance to see you in action. I know the Savior is glad to have you home! Arohanui President!
Geoffrey Baker
July 30, 2019
One of the great friends of New Zealand and a wonderful command of the Maori language. A valiant son of of Heavenly Father. He will be missed by so many.
Our Aroha to the family. Geoffrey and Dolly(Wihongi) Baker.
July 30, 2019
Condolences to our mission Pres. who we had the privilege of serving a mission with in Auckland nz We had a great experience and wonderful 18 mnths. Nau mai Haerera e hoa.
Anaru and Kathleen Wihongi xx
Lunch date - Atwood and Mendenhall Families - August 2015
Melissa Atwood
July 30, 2019
Oh, how I wish I could make it to the funeral. President Mendenhall has such a profound influence on my life. The five months I served in Auckland served to shape and direct my life. I remember President M laughing with (and at) me, counselling with me, and challenging me to grow through difficult opportunities that became my favorite memories from my mission. When I had my final mission interview with him and told him I wasn't planning to date/marry for at least a year, he laughed and said, I give you about 6 months! I was fairly indignant, thinking, How dare he?! That is NOT my plan!! He (and I) had a pretty good chuckle when I called him 2 1/2 months later to tell him I was engaged! Haha! I have cherished the times I was able to visit him and Sis. Mendenhall when I came down to Utah. Sister Mendenhall - we are sending our love and hugs to you and your family, and praying for your peace and comfort. I love you. ❤
Bryan McGrath
July 30, 2019
To Mr. Mendenhall's family--may Paul's memory always be a blessing. Bryan McGrath, UVA 1987
A beautiful moment etched in my heart!
Ann Wihongi Moynihan
July 30, 2019
I cannot let this opportunity go by without expressing my aroha and deep respect for this amazing man who I only met twice in my entire life, yet whom I had heard of so many times before, that it felt as if I had known him forever.
He was a legend! Spoken of, and stories of him told, as an amazing missionary and later, mission president, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; who learned and mastered the native language of New Zealand and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ with great aroha and success among my Maori people. I heard my dad, my aunts and uncles speak of times decades past, when Kaumātua (Elder) Mendenhall as a young missionary, lived with them in very humble circumstances, lived as they did, and taught them the gospel in their native tongue. His story was told in the villages of the north in Aotearoa, New Zealand, so much so that we, the younger generation then, felt we had personally known him all our lives.
Although I first met Tumuaki (President) Mendenhall when I was already an old kuia (old lady) in my 60s and then again, last year in my 70s, when he and his gracious and eternal companion welcomed us into their home, it was as if time had stood still. In no time at all, I was transported back to my childhood, as I witnessed firsthand Tumuaki’s cheeky and fun-loving nature, the fluency in which he spoke our reo rangatira (the Maori language), and felt the aroha I had only previously heard about from the old folk, my tupuna, who have all since passed through the veil.
Thank you, Tumuaki and Sister Mendenhall, for welcoming us into your home and allowing me and my tamariki (children) to witness the deep aroha you had for our tupuna (ancestors). E kore rawa koe ē wareware tia. You will never ever be forgotten.
A great kauri tree has fallen. Ngā mihi nui, aroha ano hoki, mo tenei kaumatua tino rongonui.
Kī te whānau pani (A message to the bereaved family):
Kia kaha! E mohio ana, he taimaha te mamae ō te ngākau inaianei, te pouri, me te mokemoke ano hoki. Many thoughts and prayers are with you all. We know that the people of Aotearoa, especially those nō te Pewhairangi (the Bay of Islands), mourn deeply with you today. Mā te Atua koutou katoa ē tiaki, ē manāki i tenei wā pouri, me ngā rā mokemoke ē tūmai nei.
Be strong! It is a heavy load you bear today; pain within your hearts, sadness, and loneliness. May God’s blessings be upon you at this time and throughout the lonely days ahead. Aroha tino nui rawa atu.
Ann Wihongi Moynihan me te whānau Wihongi ō Awarua.
Yvonne Barrus
July 30, 2019
We are so sad to hear of Paul's passing. Paul and Lanore were always so kind to our family. Paul always had a kind word and made you feel cared for. Thank you for your wonderful example Paul.
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