Connie spent the last years of her life living in Holiday, Utah where she made many friendships and enjoyed being close to family. Connie was born on September 17th, 1927, in Salt Lake City to her parents Aplonia Vuyk and Hermanus Vander Waag. Her mother’s beautiful garden was Connie’s earliest memory, and she inherited a love for gardening to the end of her days. She loved making things grow. Her family spent many summers camping and visiting Yellowstone and Bear Lake. She graduated from South High school and following graduation attended LDS Business College. Connie met her sweetheart Berton Reed Jr. and they were married in Salt Lake County, February 7th, 1947. The marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. She worked for Old American Asphalt Company as a bookkeeper and telephone operator and then worked for First Security Corporation for 21 years as the manager of the mortgage insurance department. Connie was raised in Salt Lake City and continued to live there after her marriage. After Bert’s retirement, they left Salt Lake and moved to St. George for a season, later choosing to come back to Holiday to be close to family. She was a dedicated servant of the Lord serving in many leadership callings and as a temple missionary with her spouse in the St. George Temple, later serving as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake Temple. Connie was very compassionate. She was often giving and making things for others, she made 300 layette sets for the Catholic Community. She loved to sew and would make hats for all of her family. She was kind, loving, and caring and had a great sense of humor. She was sassy with a little bit vinegar. She loved sharing her wisdom. She cared deeply for her family and friends. Connie enjoyed boating, camping, square dancing, she was an avid reader, and loved to be at her cabin in Oakley, but most of all she loved being with her family.
Connie is proceeded in death by her three siblings Dorothy Grant, Rina Maurman, Albert Vander Waag; her husband Bert; and her parents.
Bert and Connie are survived by and took great pride in their two daughters Kathaleen Garret-Embley (Mike Embley- Spouse) and Janet Little (Mike Little- Spouse). Connie was the loving grandmother to 8 grandchildren Adam (Jenny) Newton, Jennifer (Amy) (Dan) Adams, Nate (Amy) Little, Matt (Ashlie) Little, Dan Little, Nichole (Jared) Wall. In addition to 21 great grandchildren and 8 great- great grandchildren.
She will be remembered with great love by her family and friends.
A viewing will be held on May 6th from 10:00am to 10:45am, at Wasatch Lawns (3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT) followed by a funeral at 11am.
The family extends gratitude to the many friends and ward members who so lovingly reached out to show their care and concern for her these past few years. Especially her sweet Racheal.
