Erhard Benno Kossin

Our loving Husband, Father, Grandpa, and Great Grandfather, Erhard Benno Kossin passed away from natural causes at home in Bountiful, Utah at age 83 surrounded by his wife, Heidi, and sons in the late evening on Saturday, August 31st.

Born on August 17th, 1936 to parents, John Benno Wilhelm Kossin and Martha Maria Groening Kossin, in Danzig, Germany (now Gda?sk, Poland), Erhard faced many challenges in early life being forced to leave his place of birth with his family to western Germany during World War II. In these hard conditions, their strong family bond was formed.

In 1954 he immigrated to the United States with his parents, brother Bruno, and sisters, Helma and Margit, and joined his eldest sister, Dagmar and her husband Kurt Mudrow who had already settled a year prior in Salt Lake City, Utah. The family left everything behind, and sacrificed much to come to America in the hope of a better life.

Erhard loyally served in the United States Army from 1959-61 rising to the rank of Platoon Sergeant and becoming a US citizen through naturalization during his time in the military. Shortly thereafter, he married his lifelong sweetheart, Heidi Schuldirk Kossin, on October 26, 1962. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple exactly three years later to the day in 1965.

Erhard and Heidi welcomed their first child, Jeffrey John, in 1964 and then a second boy, Mark Erhard, in 1968. Jeff sadly passed away at age 5 in August 1969 after a courageous battle with Leukemia. They later welcomed two additional boys to the family, Craig Michael and Dirk Scott.

Focusing on building a stable life for his family, Erhard learned drafting, engineering, metal fabrication, manufacturing and numerous other related trades. In 1973, he built his first home in Bountiful, Utah where he raised his family for over 30 years. Many of the friendships Erhard formed early on lasted throughout his entire life. He truly cherished these associations.

In 1977 Erhard started his own precision sheet metal fabrication business in which he was the primary engineer, machinist and operations lead. For most of its existence, he managed the small business with his son, Mark Kossin, and nephew, David Mudrow. “The shop” has employed hundreds of people, including family, neighbors and friends for over 40 years in Utah. With the solid foundation built by Erhard and his close family members, his business continues to thrive today.

Over the years, he pursued many interests and enjoyed many of life’s simple pleasures including tennis, waterskiing, house remodeling, woodworking, good food, nice cars, traveling with his wife, and most importantly time spent with his family.

Erhard was born into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint family where their faith was very important especially in trying times. This faith eventually lead his family to America, and to settle in Bountiful, Utah, staying close to his extended family. Erhard remained a faithful member of the Church his whole life, diligently serving as ward and membership clerk for many years.

Erhard taught us, his family and friends, many important lessons. We all looked up to him with respect and regard. He showed us how to work hard, play hard, do our best, enjoy life, be passionate, and most importantly, that family always comes first. We relied on Erhard for guidance, for support, for help and he happily served us. His love and care for his wife and best friend, Heidi, was an example of true love and dedication. His loving and caring attitude extended beyond the family to neighbors, coworkers, and friendships that have lasted many decades.

The wonderful memories and huge laughs we shared together will never be forgotten. Our family gatherings, vacations, boating trips, meals shared, theater room movies, late night talks and much more are all cherished memories of him. He taught us to have a zest for life. No doubt Erhard is now enjoying the most delicious piece of his favorite dessert, Pflaumenkuchen mit Schlagsahne.

We are blessed to have had Erhard in our lives, and are so grateful to be an eternal family, sealed together in the temple. We know he is now with family and friends who have gone before him, and we look forward, in faith, to being with him once again.

Erhard is survived by his loving wife, Heidi, and children, Mark (Christine), Craig, Dirk (Brandie); his siblings, Dagmar, Bruno (Colleen), Bob, Margit (Lynn); his grandchildren, Kyle, Lindsey (Zachary), Sydney, Maximillian, John, Hannah, Abigail, and Benno; and his recently born great granddaughter, Maryn Rose. He is preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey John Kossin; sisters, Eleanor Kossin and Helma Bair; brother-in-law, Kurt Mudrow; and his parents and parents-in-law.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 5th from 6:00-8:00 PM at Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street in Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be on Friday, September 6th at 11:00 a.m. with family viewing one hour prior (10:00 a.m.) at the North Canyon Stake Center, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 965 Oakwood Drive, Bountiful, Utah. Please come share your memories of Erhard. Interment to follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery.