Hamilton – Kristine (Kris) Ann Dunn Wade passed away May 8, 2015. Kris was born on July 8, 1967 in Granger, Utah, now West Valley City, the daughter of Gerald John and Cecelia Ann (Hardy) Haslip.
Kris met Scott Wade in September of 2013. They soon became best friends. Their friendly personalities and senses of humor had a synergistic effect upon one another and they fell into love! They were married on August 16, 2014. This marriage was a great match for Kris, and family members firmly believe that Kris was never happier! While on their honeymoon camping trip to Glacier Park, Scott said that they fished and Kris caught the first, the biggest, and the most – as Kris put it! Further, during their honeymoon, a storm came along with rain, wind, and lightning. Lightning hit a tree. Six feet of that tree top landed on the road in front of them. They looked at one another and started laughing. They grabbed some beer and stayed in the car for about a half hour until it stopped raining.
Kris was raised mainly in Utah and graduated from Alta High School in Sandy, Utah. Kris was an intelligent girl and always performed well in school. Her parents wanted her to continue her education, but she said that the money would be wasted.
Kris was a competitor throughout her life. An example of that is when she played soccer in her early teens. Her girls team was playing a boys team. She was a fullback and knew her team would be scored upon if she didn’t stop the play. The boy had to be carried off on a stretcher.
After high school graduation, Kris was employed by a number of small businesses and married her first husband in 1986. He was an excellent salesman and won a trip for the two of them to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They divorced several years later.
Kris met her second husband while working at Lawn Life in Salt Lake. Before long Kris became ill and was diagnosed with lupus. They lost their first child – a boy named Brennan after a miscarriage, likely caused by lupus. Kris urged her husband to enter his dream profession as a policeman. He did, graduated police training, and eventually became a Utah State Trooper. Their daughter, Aspen Nicole Dunn, was born in 1996. Needless to say, Kris struggled with lupus for many years and received medical disability upon retiring from Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Kris’ lupus nearly cost her life when her heart “flat- lined” twice during an anti-phospho lipid syndrome encounter in 2001. After her divorce in 2007, Kris and Aspen moved to Montana. Kris fell in love with Montana while visiting parents years earlier.
Kris and Aspen were not just mother and daughter, but were very close best friends. They had a special relationship. Kris let Aspen know that she was a most important person in her life.
Throughout Kris’ life, she really enjoyed camping and fishing. She will be remembered by her quick wit, which provided great entertainment to friends and family. In fact, several people have said that you don’t talk with Kris, you listen to her – she was a great communicator! Kris never met a stranger – she quickly started a conversation with most everyone she met! She loved animals in general – but dogs in particular, and enjoyed watching/feeding birds. Kris loved flowers, shopping and, in particular going to thrift shops to find any item that would catch her fancy wherein she could use her imaginative, creative skills in crafting decorative items for her home and patio!
Kris is greatly missed by: her husband Scott Wade, daughter Aspen Dunn, father Jerry Haslip, brothers Craig and Gary, sisters-in-law Christa (Craig) and Rosa (Gary), as well as Scott’s mother Vonnelee Nieczyporowicz, brother Jeff, and sister Karen Stark. Kris’ mother, Cecelia (Cy) Haslip, preceded her in death.
As Kris wanted, a celebration of her life will be held at a private gathering at her parent’s property.
Cremation was Kris’ preference and has occurred.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com The family suggests that memorials be made to the Lupus Foundation of America.