South Ogden resident turns 101
Afton R. Van Kampen was honored with a family gathering for her 101st birthday on Saturday, Oct. 27. She was born Oct. 30, 1911, to Samuel M. and Frances Cooley Rigby in Newton. When she was 2 years old, her parents moved to Bancroft, Idaho, to homestead 320 acres of dry farmland. They settled back in Newton after a few years.
She has been active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served a mission to the northwestern states and has worked in the Relief Society and Young Women’s organizations. She has been a visiting teacher since 1939, and still visits with her partner, Alta Roskelly, who is 98 years old.
She married Rudy L. Van Kampen on Oct. 24, 1935, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, beginning married life in Logan. At the time of their marriage, she worked for Christensen’s Department Store as a cashier. She gave up her position because it was discouraged for married women to work during the Depression. They later moved to Ogden, and she worked with her husband at his co-owned business, Van Kampen’s Carpet and Furniture Store, from 1961 until retirement in 1982.
She has enjoyed reading and was a member of some literary clubs. In 1938, she started Litra Chimes Literary Club, which met for more than 60 years. She does not crochet.
She says her greatest accomplishment is her family: Dr. Kent R. and Geniel Van Kampen, Jedd R. (deceased) and Nancy Van Kampen, Beth and Frank D. Maughan, and Bruce R. Van Kampen. She has 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Comments