Leif Arne Syversen passed peacefully into the loving arms of the Savior surrounded by loved ones. Leif was the son of Thorolf Emillian Syversen and Anna Gjertine Gunlefson of Helle. Leif was born in Oslo, Norway. The family immigrated to America in 1929.
Leif attended Onequa Elementary and Jackson Junior High school before graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City. He served with the Onequa Bugle Corps and played the national anthem every morning for the school as the flag was raised. He led the students of Jackson Junior High as Student Body President in his ninth grade year. Leif was an Eagle Scout. As a Salt Lake Tribune carrier, he sold war stamps and was honored by the US Treasury for placing fourth in the nation for sales.
After graduating from West High School he was drafted into the US Army Tank Corp. While training in Texas his dad learned of a skiing Company that was being created for winter combat in Norway. Leif was able to transfer his assignment to the 10th Mountain Division, training at Camp Hale in the mountains of Colorado before being sent to Europe in 1944. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star.
After the war Leif attended LDS Business College. He worked for the US Postal Service where he delivered mail for 28 years. At the Post Office Leif served in several union positions and attended many national conventions for the NALC local. After his USPS retirement he worked for Alpine Title and Utah Title.
Leif learned carpentry and masonry from his Father in Law. With his skills he built a cabin in Samak, Utah, on Beaver Creek. He later moved into his mountain home leaving his Rose Park home behind.
In June of 1946 Leif married Donna Faye Peck in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They have three children, Darwin (Anne), Christine (Gordon Zdunich) and Cathy (Jonathan Lundstrom). After thirty-three years Leif lost Donna to cancer. Leif met and married Ruth Marie Glissen. Ruth brought three children to the marriage, Selena Jimenez, Terra O\Hanlan, and Robert Fortune. They were married for 36 years.
Leif is survived by all three of his children with Donna, his wife Ruth and her three children, 20 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren, sister in law Ethel and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Rigmor Caldwell (Ralph) and brothers Gunnar (Rhea) and Richard and one great grandchild.
We offer our thanks to the Hearts for Hospice and Holiday Health Care Center for the loving care Leif received at the end.
In memoriam the family is offering a viewing on Friday, August 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, Salt Lake City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the Bountiful 20th Ward building, 80 East 1300 South, Bountiful, with a viewing from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. before the service. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, UT.
