Maud Louise Marsden Bluhm passed away peacefully on May 19, 2018, at the age of 88 in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Her life was filled with love, service, music and faith; and her influence on her family and those who knew her will always be treasured.
Louise was born in Parowan, Utah on December 2, 1929 to William and Della Marsden. She was the sixth of seven children. Louise graduated from Parowan High School before moving to Cedar City to attend Branch Agricultural College (BAC) where she received an associate degree in business. With a passion for music, she transferred to Brigham Young University to focus on a Fine Arts degree in Piano Performance. A highlight for her at BYU was being selected to play the Mozart's A Major Piano Concerto with the BYU Orchestra in the Spring of 1952. After graduation, Louise continued at BYU in 1953, to obtain a teaching certificate to teach choral and instrumental music in the secondary schools. She then accepted a job as a music teacher at Kanab High School. It was here that she met her future husband, Harry Pollei Bluhm, the principal of the High School. Louise often told her children, "My life began on June 4, 1954, when I married my sweetheart, Harry, on his birthday." Harry and Louise were married in the St. George Temple and moved to Salt Lake City where they settled in the Cottonwood Heights area, living in the same home for 60 years. It was in this home that they welcomed and raised their five children.
Music has always been an important part of Louise's life. She taught music in the public school system and taught piano for 40 years as a certified teacher with the Utah Music Teachers Association and the National Music Teachers Association. Louise went on to pursue a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at the University of Utah. She organized and sang in a trio for 25 years in the Butler Ward, performing at church, funerals, weddings and Christmas parties. Louise especially enjoyed the calling she received to sing in the Tabernacle Choir for 13 years. While singing with the Choir, she had some marvelous experiences performing throughout the United States for Centennial events, events at colleges, the Bicentennial of the US Constitution, as well as tours around the world. After retiring from the Tabernacle Choir, Louise organized and directed the Salt Lake Harmony Singers and Hillside Singers who performed throughout Salt Lake City. She also shared her piano talent by performing often at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and on many occasions in a piano quartet. Her love of music continues in the musical talents of her children and grandchildren who she has always lovingly encouraged.
Louise was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She happily served in many callings in the church including teacher, Relief Society President, Stake Music director and Ward Organist. Together, Harry and Louise served an LDS Mission in St. George, Utah at the Visitor's Center and the various historical sites. They served a second mission in Salt Lake with the Church Employment Research Services. Louise's faith was a blessing in her life. She loved to serve others and brought joy to many lives. She leaves an example of faith and an unshakable testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for her posterity.
Louise is survived by her brother, Kent (Diane) Marsden and her sister, Mary Jane (Read) Stewart; her children Gary (DeeAnne) Bluhm, Carolyn (Gary) Yurkovich, Beverly (Greg) Hansen, and Colleen (David) Hancock; 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Pollei Bluhm, and her son, Kenneth Marsden Bluhm.
Friends and family may visit on Friday evening, May 25, 2018 at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary at 1950 East 10600 South in Sandy, Utah from 6:00pm‚8:00pm.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 2:00pm in the Butler Hills Chapel at 2700 East 7000 South. A viewing will be held for family and friends prior to the funeral services from 1:00pm -1:45 pm.
Graveside services and burial will be on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 3:00pm at the Salt Lake City Cemetery 4th Avenue N Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Coordinates inside the cemetery will be 1100 East 425 North which is in the North East section of the cemetery)
Memorial donations may be made to the Mountain West Parkinson Initiative: www.mwparkinson.org/in-memoriam/louise-bluhm
