Franklin Delano Bogenschutz

Frank Bogenschutz 6/28/1933 – 3/6/2017

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, brother, and friend, Frank Bogenschutz, (Bogie), graduated to heaven on March 6, 2017. He passed away in the arms of his wife, Linda; daughter Cherie; dear friend, Shirley; and hospice nurse, Julie, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Frank was born to Felix and Sophie Bogenschutz in South Jordan, Utah. He was the youngest of three brothers; George, Don, and Junior; and four sisters; Bertha, Gen, Frieda, and Tina. Some knew him as Frank or Frankie, and others knew him as Bogie.

Bogie fell in love with and married Sheron Stedman right after high school and they had six children together: Cherie Moore, (Maurice), Sophie Ulrich (Bill), Cathie Flannery (Dennis), Frank Bogenschutz, Jr. (Ellen), Cindy Reeves (Rick), and Lisa Adams.

Divorce disrupted their lives in 1973.  In 1981 he married Linda and helped raise her sons, Rob Bryner and Steve Bryner,(Arina).

Frank wrote this obituary several years ago, with his wife’s help, and wished it to be read at his memorial service.

So, in his own words:               

I had a great childhood and have nothing but good memories of those years. I was spoiled rotten by my parents and older siblings.  I once mentioned to my dad that I liked a certain horse.  I came home from school that day to find that my dad had bought that horse for me. I always felt loved and cherished by my family.

Although I was physically disabled, I always loved life and wanted to participate in sports like everyone else. I tried never to let my prosthetic leg keep me from participating in activities. As a teen, I enjoyed going to Marv Jensen’s Gym and sparring with my friend, Gene Fullmer. Gene later became the middle weight champion. As an adult, I coached high school football for several years. I also enjoyed swimming, boating, camping and watching football.

I worked around the farm milking cows and feeding the animals.  At age fourteen I began topping sugar beets for spending money.  I had a variety of jobs through the years including auto mechanic, air conditioner specialist, warehouseman, and tavern owner. I finally retired from a job I loved as the Lift Station Manager with the Salt Lake City Water Department where I worked for 20 years. At the water department, I met the man who would later become one of my best friends, Abe Jiron.  He and his wife, Dee, have been faithful friends to Linda and me for many years.  After my illness confined me to a wheelchair, they were always there to help with chores and projects around the house from plumbing to construction. I felt very grateful that they could be there to help Linda when I was no longer able to do the necessary household repairs.

I married Sheron Stedman right after high school and we had six wonderful children together:  Cherie, Sophie, Cathie, Frank, Cindy, and Lisa. I loved these children with all my heart and we built many happy memories together.  We went to Disneyland and other fun places on vacations and took family drives almost every Sunday.  I have recalled those happy memories often throughout the years.

Divorce disrupted our lives in 1973.  In 1981, I married Linda and helped raise her sons, Rob and Steve.  We, too, built many happy memories together.

A huge milestone in my life occurred on March 12, 1987, when Linda and I put our complete trust in Jesus Christ and asked Him to be our Lord and Savior.  That began a joyful, awesome relationship with Jesus that became the central focus of our lives.  Being a Christian has been the greatest adventure we could ever imagine.  I wanted everyone to find the peace and joy I had discovered. I even visited the jails and prison to tell the inmates that they, too, could be forgiven and experience eternal life!  Linda and I are eternally grateful to Glennie and Lou Mate who led us to the Lord.  We are also thrilled to have so many wonderful “forever” friends to share in our lives.

I am preceded in death by my parents – Felix and Sophie; sisters – Tina and Frieda; brothers – Don and George, and my youngest daughter – Lisa.  I’m leaving behind my beloved wife, Linda; children: Cherie Moore, (Maurice), Sophie Ulrich (Bill), Cathie Flannery (Dennis), Frank Bogenschutz, Jr. (Ellen), Cindy Reeves (Rick); Rob Bryner; Steve Bryner, (Arina); grandchildren: Tricia, Justin, Terri, Patrick, KC, Maggie, EJ, Brianne, Billy, Nick, Ronny, Shondel, Eric, Ross, McKenzie, McKell, Alina, Alexander, Avery, Bryce, Bailey, Bryton; Gina, Janice, and Siboney. I am also leaving behind numerous great-grandchildren, my brother, Junior, and my two sisters, Genevieve and Bertha.    

So please celebrate with me!  Although I hated to leave you all behind, I am now where I have longed to be – with my precious Jesus.  I am really enjoying my brand new body!  For years I have been longing to have this wonderful new body! For the first time in my life I have two legs! I also have two working eyes and arms and a renewed mind – perfect in every way.   But the best part of all is that God’s Word, the Bible, tells me that, for those who love and trust Him, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”.  I am now present with my Lord! My dying wish and prayer is that all my loved ones, family and friends, will also put their complete trust in Jesus Christ so that we can be reunited and spend eternity together!  Please read these Bible verses to learn more about that: Romans 3:23, 6:23, 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9, Acts 16:31, John 14:6.

A celebration of my life will be held at Calvary Chapel, 460 W. Century Drive (4350 So), Salt Lake City, UT, 84123, on Monday, March 27, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in my name to:

                                                Rescue Mission of Salt Lake

                                                PO Box1431

                                                Salt Lake City, UT 84110-9987