Michael K. Wall

1958 ~ 2021

Obituary Photo for Michael K. Wall < >

Service:

Aug. 14, 2021
2:00 PM
Red Rock Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 10550 Alta Drive, Las Vegas Nevada

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With sadness, we announce the passing of our dearest husband, father, and friend Michael Keith Wall. He taught us, supported us, laughed with us, celebrated our joys, and calmed our fears. Michael passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 20th, 2021 at the age of 63, from complications with COVID 19. His wife and children were with him.

Michael was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on April 7th, 1958, the son of Gaymore Rene Wall and Esther Noble Wall, the sixth of their nine children. Michael adored his siblings and revered his parents. His fondest memories, of which he spoke throughout his life, were of the regular camping trips he took with his family in childhood and youth. Michael grew up in Salt Lake City (but spent many a summer working on his grandparents’ Idaho farm). He attended South High School (class of 1976), where he excelled on his speech and debate team. Public speaking was a talent he shared with and learned from his mother, as was his love of reading (he also learned his love of watching NFL football from his mother). After high school, he studied as an undergraduate and a law student at the University of Utah (he graduated from law school in 1984).

In 1980, Michael married his sweetheart, Regina Marion Freimann, in the Salt Lake City Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They raised two children, Spencer Kenneth Wall (born 1984) and Angela Katherine Wall (born 1988). The four of them have always been the closest of families. Michael’s law career took him, with his family, to Nevada; first to Carson City, where Michael worked as the supervising staff attorney of the Supreme Court of Nevada; and then to Las Vegas, where he joined the law firm of Hutchison & Steffen. In private practice, he worked in many areas of the law, but particularly enjoyed returning to the Supreme Court, now as an advocate for his clients. As his little family of four found adventures and good times and joy together in Nevada, Michael maintained his emotional bond to the place and the family from which he had come. When Michael had a question about a car or a personal concern or a household repair or a spiritual topic, his father Gaymore was his first call.

Michael loved the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and loved to teach it. He taught this gospel on a two-year mission for his church, as a young man, in Germany; in Sunday school and in other teaching callings for his church, throughout his life; and in animated conversations with anyone who would listen or ask him questions. He particularly treasured those books of scripture that the members of his faith call the Old Testament. He returned again and again to his study of Deuteronomy, Isaiah, and Job, as well as the history in the books of Kings and Chronicles. From his study of scripture, he learned and he taught obedience to and reverence for God.

Michael loved the outdoors. In childhood and youth, he hiked and camped with his family in the High Uintas in northern Utah. He called the Uintas the most beautiful place on earth. As a young husband and father, he took advantage of living in Carson City, near Lake Tahoe, walking on trails and swimming in the lake with his wife and children. They all spent long summer evenings together at the lake, eating pizza on the beach and watching the sun set. Even after they moved from Carson City, they returned to Lake Tahoe regularly. Michael loved the outdoors so much, he brought them indoors. One of his hobbies was growing and tending plants, including amaryllises that he grew from seed and lovingly coaxed to bloom. Plants filled his offices at the Supreme Court in Carson City from floor to ceiling and everywhere in between.

As an undergraduate at the University of Utah, Michael studied English literature. He kept his love for poetry, stories, literature, and the humanities throughout his life. His favorite authors were Edmund Spenser, Thomas Hardy, and Edith Wharton. He also deeply loved and felt music. As a teenager, one of his favorite things to do was fall asleep at the end of the day with his music playing. In church and in amusement parks and wherever music played, he would tap or clap or dance along with the music. He loved the operas of Verdi and the rock music of the seventies, most especially Neil Diamond and the Moody Blues. Another of his passionate interests was visual art. Marc Chagall was his favorite artist. When Michael stood in a gallery and explained what he saw in the paintings of Chagall and others, it was like you saw those paintings new.

When asked about his hobbies and interests, Michael always mentioned fine dining. He had a lifelong love of good food, from the venison his family brought back from childhood hunting trips (which he described with relish throughout his life); to the German cuisine (especially the bread) he discovered while serving his Church mission; to the sushi that became one of his favorite treats in more recent decades. The Five Alls restaurant in Salt Lake City was one of his favorite places to be. He discovered it as a teenager in high school. He took his sweetheart there for special occasions throughout his life. He enjoyed a Father’s Day weekend meal with his family there this year, just weeks before he passed. If you asked him his favorite food, he would say it was seafood. But the food he ate most often was cheese.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Gaymore and Esther, and by his sister Leslie Jensen and her husband Gardell. Michael is survived by his wife Regina; by his children, Spencer and Angela; by his siblings Patricia (Michael) Woodland, Bonnie (Craig) Christensen, Carol (Brooke) Noall, Dean (Jenny) Wall, Donald (Karen) Wall, Ralph (Idida) Wall, Debra (Alan) Woodland; by his wife’s parents, Gerd and Helga Freimann; by his wife’s siblings, Volker Freimann and Corinna (Robert) Cavanaugh; by many, many nieces and nephews and their spouses and children.

Michael will have funeral services in Salt Lake City, on August 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, where family and friends may visit Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service. To view the service held on August 7 in Salt Lake City, please click on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/HCTxunT2yDd_Kry6dXrlCQDsq2HkGewZgUtxgA2sTElm_tIl1Q3uAhBQeAQ41_Ve.MaNlv6QDhKSx0S9M, you will need to set up a Zoom account.
A memorial service in Las Vegas will follow on August 14th at 2:00 p.m. at the Red Rock Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10550 Alta Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada.



Guestbook/Condolences

My respects to the wall family for this great loss. I am sure he was welcomed home by a large host of heaven and welcome all the family members home when when they are called home.


- Kenneth Littlefield

So very sorry for the loss of a great man.


- Cindy Harrison

Have known Mr. Wall since 1998, and we worked together for a spell, and lunched annually. I will miss him. He was an absolutely amazing soul. Prayers for his wife and children and all those he leaves behind.


- Steven Haile

Rafael and I send our deeply felt condolences to Ralph and his family. We recently lost a sister and a nephew and know how very painful is the loss of a loved one. May our good Lord send his blessings to your family.


- Georgina Pineiro

Dear Wall Family:

We are so sorry for the loss of your brother! Our prayers are with you!


- LaFawn Smith

Dear Regina & Family: I have known Mike since 7th grade! I was so saddened to hear of his passing. Mike was able to do and accomplish so much in his lifetime, but I know too that his priorities was his faith in our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ, and you his dear family. My heart goes out to you all and I pray God's blessings of peace and comfort to be with you now and always. May our Savior's love and peace bring you comfort and may the knowledge of our Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness cover your souls like a warm blanket and a gentle hug.
With sincere condolences and Heartfelt Sympathy
Luke & Bonnie McDermott


- Luke McDermott

Lorrie and I are saddened to hear of Mike's passing. While it is said that no good man dies before his time, our hearts nonetheless go out to his family and colleagues. I knew Mike as a dedicated student of the Gospel, a stalwart member and leader in our ward, and an intelligent and entertaining colleague. He will be missed greatly on this side of the veil.


- Dan and Lorrie Curriden

I only knew Michael at Court, but his sweet face will be missed. Condolences from the staff of Guglielmo & Associates to his friends and family.


- Roberta Ohlinger-Johnson

Mike was generous with his both his time and humor. I had the pleasure of working with him at Hutchison Steffen a number of years ago. Please accept my deeply felt condolences for this profound loss.


- Tracy M Rau

Oh my goodness!! I am so sorry to know of Mike’s passing! I could tell he was a wonderful person back in high school. Prayers, hugs, hot chocolate and a blanket of love over your sweet family. Wishing you peace and calm with a knowledge that all is well🙏🌷Until we all meet again!


- Birgit Pullens

During the summer I spent interning at Hutchison & Steffen, I was impressed by Michael Wall. More than six years later, I still remember him as an impressive and unassuming legal mind and a good example. I was impressed by his intelligence and his quiet, unassuming, but kindly manner. I was also impressed by his exotic interests--in conversation he was fascinating to speak with. Working alongside his daughter at the firm that summer, I observed that Michael loved his daughter (and that their entire family loves Disneyland)! I always enjoyed running into Michael at events like the TIP mentor program, etc. His exemplary presence in the legal and local community will undoubtedly be missed by many. Sending my sincere condolences to the wonderful Wall family, you are in my prayers to a loving Heavenly Father.
-Joe Meservy


- Joseph Meservy