Lueen Kirkland Kamauoha, sweet mother, sister, aunt, grandma and friend, returned to her heavenly father on Jan. 3, 2009.
She was a proud native of Carey, Idaho, and the second child of Buford Kirkland and Ethel Marie Dilworth Kirkland. Lueen attended Carey High School (graduating class of 12 in 1947) and in 1970 graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor's degree in library science. "Queen Lueen" was known as the "lady with a smile," taking seriously her ability to lift the spirits of others. To everyone, Lueen was a memorable, cheerful presence. She was the ultimate sports fan, especially of the Utah Jazz. Her collection of Jazz paraphernalia, as well as MLB caps, was famous.
Lueen married fellow BYU student Charles Maniau Makeelani Kamauoha Jr., in 1948. They had five beautiful children and lived a life immersed in the Hawaiian culture. Together they taught ballroom dance and hula to countless youth and church groups. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Six years after Lueen was widowed, she married Charles Kenneth Martinson. They had one girl, Pamela, and together built a greenhouse business and led a rural life in Sprint Lake, Utah.
Lueen, her love, her jokes, her quirky spirit and her enthusiastic sports updates will be deeply missed. She is survived by her sister Dena and brother, Heber; her six children, Ginger, John, Spencer, Kaylani, Janalee and Pamela); 15 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and younger sister, Bufaye Reynolds. Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 9 at the LDS Church in Highland, Utah. Lueen will be laid to rest at the American Fork Cemetery.
