Herbert Guenther Olschewski

Herbert Guenther Olschewski was born on July 24, 1919, in Koenigsberg, Germany. He died quietly at 8:45 am on the morning of November 27, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Herbert was the tenth of thirteen children born to Otto Olschewski and Anna Carolina Waldhaus. In 1932, at 13 years old, he and his family left Germany just prior to the fateful rise of Adolf Hitler in the years preceding the Second World War. He was unaware of the timeliness of their departure and how those events would affect his future.

The family immigrated to the United States, settling in Queens, New York. As a boy in New York, Herbert learned to speak English at school and, in his words, he learned “how to be an American.” He spoke fondly of his time there, visiting Coney Island, playing near the ocean, and attaching his bike, along with the neighborhood boys, to the back of the trolleys, getting pulled around New York City.

As a young man, Herbert gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all its saving principles. His conviction to God was the foundation that Herbert built his life upon. At 22, Herbert moved with his family again, driving a Model T Ford across the country from New York to his new home in Salt Lake City, Utah. The year was 1941, the same year the United States declared war on Japan following the events at Pearl Harbor, bringing the US into a world conflict.

Drafted into the United States Army in 1942, he was proud to serve as an American soldier to fight for freedom and for his country. He was stationed in Italy during the collapse of Nazi Germany and witnessed the angry crowds in Milan as the villagers strung Mussolini’s body onto the steel girder, marking the beginning of the end of the war in Europe. At the end of the war, in 1945, he returned from the service, and married Afton Barlow. Together they raised 8 children, three daughters and five sons.

In 1948 Herbert began building the home, one brick and board at a time. He did the plumbing himself, the concrete and the electrical. He was practical and skilled. Over the many years, with additions built and improvements made, what started out as a little house became the home where he would spend the next 71 years of his life.

Herbert joined Intermountain Stone and Marble in 1956, becoming sole owner in 1977. Herbert built his business on the belief that success is earned through honesty, hard work and integrity.

Herbert was a family man and worked hard to provide for his children, and to offer them the opportunities of the American dream. When he wasn’t on the job, he was at home doing work projects, gathering his kids to help him. It was important that he taught his children responsibility and commitment, and that “your word is your bond.” Herbert had a great sense of humor and was friendly and outgoing. He was mild-mannered and treated everyone with equal respect.

Herbert retired at 84, allowing him more time to spend with his family. Herbert was 95 years old when he lost his beloved wife, Afton, in 2015. They had been married for 69 years. He continued after her death, maintaining good health and good humor.

His youngest son, Ian, daughter-in-law Debbie, and their family, moved into the house to care for him in 2015. His long life, health and well-being are a testament to the love and care he received from them. He absolutely adored the grandkids and great grandkids and was very tolerant of the children.

When he was 100, he fell and broke his hip. Because of his exceptional health, he had the surgery and recovered. He was not on any medication and could remain somewhat active for the next couple of years. But shortly after his 102nd birthday, he began a gentle decline in health. He reminisced often of his mother, whom he dearly loved. As the weeks passed, the light in his eyes dimmed and he finally slipped into the peaceful arms of death. He was the last member of his family to pass away.

Over his incredibly long life, he touched many, many lives with his open heart and quiet wisdom. And anyone who had the pleasure of looking into those bluest of blue eyes would recognize the soul of a good and honorable man.

He is preceded in death by his son Robert, and his wife Afton. He is survived by his remaining children, Eileen, Steven, David, Jonathan, Dianne, Teressa, Ianthius and 44 grandchildren, 125 great-grandchildren and 30 great-great-grandchildren.

There will be a public viewing on Thursday, December 2, 2021, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 3688 West 12600 South in Riverton, Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Friday December 3, 2021, at 12:00 pm at the Bluffdale LDS Stake Center on 2742 West 14400 South Bluffdale, Utah. A viewing will be held at the Stake Center prior to the funeral from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.