Steven William Blodgett, 69, unexpectedly, yet peacefully passed from this life in his sleep on March 5, 2016, in Anaheim, California, after a cherished family vacation. Steve was born on June 3, 1946, the third of four children born to William Durell Blodgett and Florence Martha Gygi Blodgett in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Olympus High School in 1964. From 1965-1967, he served in the West German Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning, he earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Brigham Young University in Library Science. He married Barbara Gene Kmetzsch in the Salt Lake Temple on August 7, 1969, and together raised five children in Sandy, Utah. Steve was a devoted genealogist for 42 years, working for the LDS church.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, Sandy, UT; children, Brian (Lisa) Blodgett, West Jordan, UT; Angela (Degen) Lewis, Pleasant Grove, UT; Julia (Carl) Lloyd, Herriman, UT; Robert (Sonja) Blodgett, Millcreek, UT; John (Emily) Blodgett, Riverton, UT; 21 grandchildren; sister, Joan Peterson, Palo Alto, CA; brothers, Terry (Cheryl) Blodgett, Cedar City, UT; Richard (Diane) Blodgett, Manassas, VA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, and grandson, Daniel Blodgett.
As Steve grew up in Holladay, his character was shaped by many valuable experiences, especially ones provided by his parents. Working in their family grocery store, he learned about honesty, accepting responsibility, and how to wait on customers through good service. At home he learned the value of work through his school studies, household and yard chores. He was sensitive to the Spirit and deeply cared for other people. He served in numerous capacities in the LDS Church including: home teacher, stake executive secretary, bishopric counselor at the Utah State Prison, high priest group leader, and Church-service missionary, directing the Sandy Vegetable Project (a Church welfare farm). In recent years, he and Barbara took up ham radio as a hobby, facilitating his stake's emergency communications. He earned his general license; KF7WCQ is now a silent key.
Steve leaves a legacy of faith and testimony for the gospel of Jesus Christ and a passion for family history work. He was a master gardener and excelled as a handyman, storyteller, choir singer, fisherman, camper, ham radio operator, traveler, researcher, writer, and missionary. He treasured his roles as a husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. In his kind, gentle and unassuming way, he always made time to serve and genuinely love others.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, March 14, 2016, at the Edgemont Ward Chapel (9824 South Flint Drive, Sandy, Utah). A viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00pm on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary (1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah), and from 9:30-10:30am at the chapel before services. Interment: Holladay Memorial Park (4900 South Memory Lane, Holladay, Utah).
