Don Fred Zesiger

Our beloved sweetheart, father, brother and friend Don Fred Zesiger passed away on Saturday July 8, 2023.  Don was born June 5, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Fred Hardy Zesiger and Marjorie Steed Zesiger.  He was raised on the family farm in Bountiful where he learned early the value of hard work.  He attended schools in Bountiful and graduated from Bountiful High School.  

In 1960 he received a call to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the homeland of his ancestors in the beautiful country of Switzerland.  He loved his mission and teaching the gospel became a part of him.

Upon his return from Switzerland, he married his longtime friend and childhood sweetheart Dorothy Bryson in the Logan temple on August 22, 1963.  They made West Bountiful their home and never left there.  

Don was active in the community especially when West Bountiful was a small community where he knew everyone.  Offering his services, he volunteered to provide his crew of men and equipment in pouring the concrete floor on the first town bowery. His service continued as the town grew into a city, he also built a handicapped ramp at the old city hall and curb and gutters for the new Latter-day Saints church on 800 West.  Many residences in the city recognized his efforts. Twice he was honored to be chosen as the Grand Marshal for the famous Fourth of July candy parade.  In addition, in 2016 he was given the "Golden Boot Award" by the city Arts Council.  Don received this award because his life portrayed what was noted as the legendary cowboy way. It was the way he lived his life in service to others, but most of all how he had taught his sons and grandsons to work together as a family to help others and be men of their word. Not only did Don have a close relationship with his boys, he adored his only daughter Donna.  She was such a gift and special blessing when she was born that he gave her his name.

There is an old saying that "you never take the farm out of the boy."  How true that was.   Don loved animals.  At one time or another he had about every animal that "Old McDonald" had on his farm, including Canadian geese.  He raised, sold, and showed his prize bantam chickens with his friend and partner throughout the West.  Their prize chickens won national honors placing 3rd in the nation.  Don was a member of the Utah Fancy Poultry Club. 

Don loved early mornings before daybreak.  He enjoyed watching the sunrise while feeding and caring for his many animals. He used to say it was his time to connect and meditate.  He had a passion for beautiful horses.  He was never happier than when he was on the back of a horse. His favorite times were when he could take his sons and grandsons to the mountains for a Saturday afternoon ride.  He raised, bred, and showed horses for many years. In his younger years when he had more free time he was a member of the Utah Arabian Horse Club.  

One of Don's unique and special qualities was that he was always a leader.  He worked in construction for fifty-three years.  During those times he led, taught, and helped develop many men to learn the art of being a cement mason and taught them a lot of "man-up" qualities. There was never a job that was too small, too big or too complicated for Don to
take on.  His motto was "if someone else can do it, I can too."  He completed many concrete roads, freeways, water tanks, lined canals, and large reservoirs.  Don retired as part owner and vice-president of Bowen Construction in 2008.

Don had a strong and fervent testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ.  He spent his life serving in positions of leadership to help further the gospel and bring others to Christ.  His testimony was his prize possession.  He bore it often to many, but also to his family in times of being together.  He often said he could not wait to meet his best friend, Jesus Christ.  Don served three stake missions in addition to serving on the high council, as a counselor in two stake presidencies, as Bishop of the West Bountiful 6th Ward and as a Patriarch. He loved young people and loved every minute of serving them.  Don served as Patriarch in the West Bountiful Utah Stake for 18 years before his health quickly declined.

Don loved people and made friends easily. He often said, "If I die with a lot of friends, I will die a rich man." He truly died a rich man.

Don is survived by his wife Dorothy of 59 years, his sons, Calvin (Kristin) North Salt Lake, Mark (Monica) Hooper, Darrin (Alisha) West Bountiful, DeeLynn (Kirsten) Farmington, daughter Donna Woolstenhulme (Scott) Midway.  Brothers, Harold (Gail) West Bountiful, Dell (Carole) West Bountiful, Sister Mary Jensen, Fruit Heights. As well as 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by his youngest son, Craig Bryson Zesiger, parents, Fred Hardy Zesiger and Marjorie Steed Zesiger, parents' in-law, Glenn and Ellen Bryson, brother-in-laws, Mark Jensen, Lynn Bryson and Brent Bryson.

A viewing will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Sunday, July 16, 2023 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful.

Funeral will be Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11 a.m., in the West Bountiful Utah Stake Center, 1930 North 600 West, West Bountiful, where a viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Burial in Lakeview Cemetery, Bountiful Utah.

Funeral services will be streamed live on Zoom: