Brent Bennett Rhees

Our loving and treasured husband and father, Brent Bennett Rhees (67), passed away on June 18, 2022, after an unexpected accident in Island Park, Idaho. Brent was born April 4, 1955, in Ogden, Utah, to Roland “Bud” and Vernice Bennett Rhees.

Brent lived a blessed life. He was raised in a loving, gospel-filled home by righteous parents who taught him well. Many of Brent’s best attributes came as a result of the tender direction and guidance of his wonderful parents and grandparents. Brent loved and honored his parents and siblings all his life.

As a young man, Brent served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Arizona Tempe / Nevada Las Vegas mission. Shortly after returning, he met the love of his life, Karen Kaye Nelson while attending school at Ricks college. In Karen, Brent found his perfect match in every way. He recently told his children, “I am confident that of all the decisions I have made in my life the best decision I ever made was to ask Karen to be my wife.” They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on Sept 9, 1977.

Continuing his education at Utah State University, Brent graduated in 1980 with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and began a lifelong career with the Bureau of Reclamation. He loved the people he worked with and found great satisfaction in their association. He truly felt like his professional path was Divinely blessed. At the time of his retirement in 2019, he held the title of Senior Executive Regional Director for the Upper Colorado Region of the Bureau. Brent was revered in his field and throughout the course of his career had many distinguished honors.

However, of all his remarkable accomplishments, the one he was most proud of was his family. Brent’s wife, four children, their spouses and his grandchildren were his greatest joy and he made sure we knew it. He was present and involved in every chapter of our lives. He loved us perfectly. He raised his family in Bountiful, Utah where he has resided for 37 years.

Brent loved our Heavenly Father and lived his life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a man of integrity and valor. He was the gospel in action. He loved working with youth of the church in various callings and had a great talent for it. Over the course of his life, he served in many ward and stake callings including that of a truly beloved bishop. At the time of his death, he was serving as a senior missionary with his precious wife as his companion. He has left us a great legacy of faith.

Brent had a natural sense of humor and wit that was unmatched. Within minutes of spending time together, he’d have you laughing. He made life so fun. As a result, he had a great ability to connect with people. Brent knew how to love well. People mattered to him. He was generous and kind in every regard. He was and is our hero. The separation is hard, but we will do our best to follow his often-given counsel to “be good boys and good girls” as we look forward to being together again.

He is preceded in death by Roland Rhees, father; Christian Herrick, grandson; Sam Bowen, nephew; David Nelson, brother-in-law; and Patty Nelson, sister-in-law.

He is survived by his mother Vernice Rhees of Mesa, Arizona; Karen, his eternal sweetheart of 45 years; his children Kristen Rhees DeGraw (Ryan) of Rexburg, Idaho, Julie Rhees Zarkou (Dave) of Albany, Oregon, Brian Rhees (Carol) of Saratoga Springs, Utah, and Michelle Rhees Herrick (Tyson) of Provo, Utah; sisters Ann Rhees Brown (Bruce) of Mesa, Arizona, and Kathryn Rhees Bowen (Bruce) of Burley, Idaho; brother Scott Rhees (Belle) of Pasco, Washington; many nieces and nephews; and 19 grandchildren who he adored and who adored him in return.

A viewing will be held on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Russon Mortuary and Crematory, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Bountiful East Stake Center, 650 East 2150 South, Bountiful, Utah where a viewing will be held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the services.

Services will be streamed on Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page as well as on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.

In lieu of flowers, Brent would have loved for you to do an act of kindness or make a special memory with your family.