Our beloved and devoted father Jerry Fred Kellgreen passed away June 4, 2023, in Sandy, Utah. He was born October 4, 1937, in Murray, Utah.
Jerry grew up in the East Bench of Salt Lake City and maintained close, lifelong friendships with many of his childhood friends from his neighborhood and East High School. Jerry was an extrovert, and he placed a high value on maintaining relationships with the neighborhood families and friends who helped him navigate a difficult childhood.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints in Montana and also attended Weber State College and the University of Utah. He eventually found his vocational passion in real estate as a broker and owner of investment properties. Throughout his life he remodeled and rebuilt not only his own homes but many investment properties.
In 1970, he married Karin Figen Steiner, and together they raised four children. His children knew him to be a dedicated and generous father. He was always present at their activities, and he dedicated his life to providing his kids with more than he had himself. He had a generous heart and loved to help others in need. He had a knack for overcoming and persevering through the impossible.
Jerry had an adventurous spirit and often thrived on taking risks such as using his private pilot’s license to fly around the Alaskan wilderness, traveling to Russia in the early 70s, or hiking in off-grid locations. These risks sometimes led to accidents, but his physical stamina and personal determination helped him to recover and be stronger than before. He enjoyed skiing, deep-sea fishing, backpacking in Southern Utah, traveling, driving coast to coast, and attending music festivals.
He especially loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren by helping them with home improvement projects and attending their many sporting and musical events. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his children Kara (William) Busath, Heather (Robert) McGrath, Anna (Willie) Oviedo, and W. Kaj (Maata) Kellgreen, fifteen grandchildren and three sisters Elaine Smith, Kaye Nesse, and Nancy (Jack) Dunlop.
Family and friends may gather at 10:00 AM at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah immediately followed by a graveside service.
Jerry was a big part of me growing up. He always seemed to believe I could do stuff that I never dreamed I could. Then he'd leave me to do it. I learned a lot from him about myself and in many ways about life. I loved Jerry and even though I didn't see him much in recent years I've thought about him often. He definitely contributed to who I am today. Godspeed my friend.
My favorite Jerry memory:
The Kellgreens kitchen window was directly across their drive way to my bedroom window. I’m not sure whether he had an arrangement with my parents during the summer (because they both worked), but if I slept in past 8:00am he would open his window and melodically say, “Chelly! Good morning! The sun is up and you should be too!” Sometimes I would shut my window. Most of the time, he was my friendly summer alarm clock and I got up.
I also loved “The Great K Street Wall” (all of 6 inches tall) where Becks and Kellgreens gathered on Sundays for ice cream and family slide shows.
I miss lovely Karin and Jerry will not soon be forgotten. Love to Kara, Heather, Anna and Kaj.
My favorite Jerry memory:
The Kellgreens kitchen window was in direct alignment with my bedroom window and just across the driveway. I’m not sure if he was in cahoots with my parents (because they both worked) but in the summer, if I slept passed 8:00am Jerry would open his kitchen window and melodically say, “Chelly! Good morning. The sun is up and you should be too!” (Sometime other variations of the same message.) Sometimes I would shut the
window. But most often, Jerry was my friendly summer alarm clock.
I loved Sunday gatherings with the Beckoweckles and the Kellgareenos on “The Great Wall of K Street” for ice cream and family slide shows.
I miss lovely Karin and Jerry will not soon be forgotten.
Love to Kara, Heather, Anna and Kaj.
From our family to yours our condolences love yall kallgreen family .