Alma John Erekson, 76 of West Valley City, Utah passed away, Tuesday, September 2, 2014. John was born March 29, 1938 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Alma Owen and Frances Penelope Rushton Erekson. He attended Jordan High School and graduated from Brigham Young University in 1965 with a Bachelors of Art in German anda minor in History.
John served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to the West German Mission from 1958 to 1961. He continued his love for the German language by teaching it in the Language Training Center when it first opened in Provo. He loved learning languages, and was working on Italian at the time of his death. He operated his mink ranches in Butler and Draper, Utah. He later worked as a salesman for Valley View Cemetery in West Valley City.
John married Michelle Marie Grane on September 30, 1965 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were married 48 years. He was a writer and grand story teller. He had a love for teaching and taught Gospel Doctrine for over 25 years, only taking time away to serve in a bishopric and as a member of the stake high council. He served as a worker at the Jordan River Temple when it first opened.
John loved his family. His children were his top priority. He is survived by his dearly loved wife Michelle ‚ he fought through a life of illness to be by her side.
He is survived by his children, John Stephen (Lisa) Erekson, James Alma (Nancy) Erekson, Jennifer Michelle (Jed) Knudsen and Eric Nathan (Sallie) Erekson. His grandchildren; Christina (Chris) Bowler, Amberlea Erekson, Sara Erekson, John White Erekson, Isabela Jude Erekson, Laura Erekson, Lille Alice Knudsen, William Benbow Erekson, Alma Jude Erekson, Charles Franklin Jens Erekson, Olivia Grace Knudsen, Joseph Young Erekson, Lucky Pearl Erekson, Dane Kevin Knudsen and Jack Henry Knudsen. One great grandson, George Christopher Bowler. A sister, Penelope Diane (Royal Kent) Walker and a brother, Tim Meredith Erekson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Owen Rushton Erekson, a sister Marie Hiatt and three grandchildren, Jessie Sunshine Erekson, Aigen Conner Erekson and Mabra Olivia Knudsen.
Services will be held Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 12:00 Noon in the Memorial LDS Ward Chapel (4251 South 4800 West, West Valley City). The family will meet with friends at Larkin Mortuary (260 East South Temple) on Friday, September 5th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and again at the Memorial Ward Chapel on Saturday, September 6th from 10:30 to 11:45 AM. Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Cemetery in West Valley City, Utah.
Condolences can be shared with the family at www.larkinmortuary.com.
