Bruce Arvill Biesinger

Our caring and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Bruce was born December 5, 1926 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to F. Arvill and Delpha Jane Barrow Biesinger. He graduated from South High School in 1944. After high school he joined the Navy and served for a year and a half at the end of World War II.

Bruce was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; he served honorably for his church in the Central Pacific Mission. Because of his mission, he had a great love for the Hawaiian Islands. Following his mission he was called to be president of the Young Men. Madonna Stradley was called as president of the Young Women in the Mutual Improvement Association of their ward. It didn't take long before they came to a "Mutual Understanding" and became sweethearts forever; they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on October 29, 1951. Bruce served in numerous church callings, some of which included working with the Young Men, serving in the Bishopric, and on the High Council. His most recent calling, which he truly loved, was serving as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple. He was dedicated to that calling for over 12 years.

Bruce was a builder by trade. He and his dad built many homes in the Salt Lake Valley. We are proud to say, "Dad built our house, Mom made it a home." Bruce then went on to work for Salt Lake City, in the engineering department, from which he retired. He was a hard worker and took pride in what he did.

Bruce enjoyed spending time with his family. He enjoyed gathering at beautiful Bear Lake with both family and friends. Bruce had many hobbies, one of which was his passion for electric trains. At Christmas he enjoyed sharing his collection of trains with others, which for many created a family tradition of seeing the trains each year. Among his collection was a train he received his very first Christmas. The candy train was always a favorite with the kids. Bruce loved music, as a child, he sang and played the piano on a local radio program. Even though he didn't play much in his later years, he enjoyed playing the piano. Recently someone asked him how old he was and he said, "I'm the same age as the number of keys on a piano." (The answer was 88.) Bruce loved Oreos; you could always find an Oreo in his cookie jar. And he would never pass up a chocolate shake. Bruce was a great example of patience and understanding, he loved people and accepted them for who they were, he touched so many lives.

Bruce is survived by two children, Flint (Jacci) Biesinger, Sandy, Utah; Jan (Lyle) Severson, Riverton, Utah; a Navajo foster daughter, Arlene (LeRoy) Sloan, St. George, Utah; nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; eight Navajo foster grandchildren; one Navajo foster great-granddaughter; one sister, Deon (Boyd) Lyon, St. Charles, Idaho; one sister-in-law, Fay Stradley, Riverton, Utah; a special friend, Delores King, South Jordan, Utah; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Preceded in death by his eternal companion, Madonna; daughter, Clo Ann Mikalauski Barney; infant son, David; infant daughter, Karla; and granddaughter Chandra Mikalauski.

Funeral services will be Monday, March 16, 2015, at 11 a.m. in the Union Park 4th Ward Chapel, 7500 South 700 East. Friends may call at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State, Sunday from 6-8 p.m. and Monday at the church from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens.