Events
Viewing
Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City, UtahMonday Jun 16, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Listen to Obituary
Steven Allan Hedquist passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Layton, Utah, surrounded by his four sons. His passing was due to advanced age and complications from kidney disease.
Steven was born on April 20, 1940, in Provo, Utah, to Ralph Alexander Hedquist and Helen Beck Hedquist. Steven attended Salt Lake City public schools and graduated from East High School. He attended LDS Business College where he was elected student body Vice President. Steven served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Frankfurt West German, Düsseldorf Central German, and Munich Bavarian Missions. Steven attended Brigham Young University (BYU) and received a B.A. degree in English and a Master of Religious Education degree in ancient scripture and LDS Church history and doctrine. Steven served in the United States Army Reserve and the Utah National Guard from 1958 to 1966.
While attending BYU, Steven met his wife, Elizabeth Ann Gammell. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 1, 1966. Steven and Elizabeth lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, until 1987, when they moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. They lived in Ann Arbor for 32 years before returning to Utah in 2019. They were blessed with four sons: Christopher (Jill), Paul (Keri), Shaun (Lori), and Matthew (Mary); seventeen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Steven was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Helen, and his older brother Francis Jene Hedquist. His wife Elizabeth passed away on July 21, 2019, due to complications from Alzheimer’s dementia.
Steven was employed by the LDS Church Education System (CES) for thirty-five years. He was a full-time seminary teacher and principal in four Salt Lake Valley high school released-time seminary programs: Cyprus, Brighton, Skyline, and Granite High Schools. He was an instructor at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion (University of Utah campus) and part-time instructor in the Department of Religious Education at the BYU Salt Lake Center for Continuing Education. Steven had a unique gift for sharing gospel truths in a way that his students could easily understand. He served as the Director of the Ann Arbor Institute of Religion (University of Michigan campus) and as CES Coordinator for southeastern Michigan. He served as Administrative Assistant to the Area Director of CES in the Northeast United States and Canada East areas. After retirement in September 2002, he taught religious education classes at the Ann Arbor Institute of Religion until 2013. Steven was a founding member of the Interfaith Roundtable of Washtenaw County, Michigan. He served as the Interfaith Outreach Specialist for the Ann Arbor Michigan Stake Public Affairs Committee.
Steven served in various church positions including ward and stake Young Men (MIA) presidencies and boards, Elders Quorum President, High Priests Group Leader, Bishopric Counselor, Branch President, and Sunday School Teacher. He worked for the Church Instructional Development Department and served on the Church Aaronic Priesthood writing committee. In 1985, he was called as Chairman of the Melchizedek Priesthood Curriculum Committee for the Church. On March 2, 1994, Steven was ordained as the Patriarch of the Ann Arbor Michigan Stake. In 1999, Steven was set apart as a sealer in the Detroit Michigan Temple. On October 29, 2000, Steven was set apart as the fourth President of the Ann Arbor Michigan Stake. Steven also served as the Detroit regional welfare committee chairman. In 2010, Steven was recalled as Sealer in the Detroit Michigan Temple.
Steven and Elizabeth were called to serve as the President and Matron of the Detroit Michigan Temple where they served from November 2013 to November 2016. After returning to Utah in 2019, Steven was again called as a temple sealer in the Bountiful Utah Temple. Above all, Steven was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ in the truest sense.
Steven was a devoted fan of BYU and Michigan football and took his sons to many games over the years. Despite his numerous responsibilities, Steven never missed his son’s football, basketball, or soccer games. Steven spent countless hours shooting hoops and throwing the football with his sons. Steven was an avid golfer and took his sons golfing every chance he had. Steven loved his family with pure love, especially his sweetheart Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s death in 2019 caused a void in his life that was never filled. His family rejoices in the surety of their sweet and long-awaited reunion. Dad, we are eternally grateful to you for your perfect love, example, lifetime of service, and your courageous endurance to the end.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Fairfield Village of Layton and Inspiration Hospice Care for their compassion and dedicated care.
Visitation held on Monday, June 16, 2025, from 6-8pm, at Larkin Mortuary (260 E. South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah). Visitation on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, from 9:30-10:30am, at Larkin Sunset Gardens (1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah), followed by the funeral service at 11:00am in the Larkin Sunset Gardens chapel at the same location. Interment to follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens.
Those wishing to view the service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/SqKGDTxcLiS0LxgB83Z_4dLhjq-O0eH6e0qzc_73IUrDnOKi11Bpq6TGJ_dZu_I.FouDzvCiyc3ECRVO?startTime=1750176743000
Video
Guestbook/Condolences
I loved my Uncle Steve. He was so fun to be around and made us laugh often with his gift of humor. He was a spiritual giant and had a deep love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I looked forward to spending fun summer vacations at his home with my cousins. He will be truly missed. My deepest sympathies to my cousins and their families. I look forward to seeing Uncle Steve again one day and renewing our friendship for the eternities. Love you Uncle!
The experiences and miracles I was blessed to be part of or witness during the 6 1/2 years I served as Stake YW President under President Hedquist’s leadership would fill volumes. I was also blessed to attend his institute classes for almost 10 years. He freely shared his extraordinary knowledge and wisdom, and tapped into his connections at times ;) to allow our youth to have extraordinary experiences. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a genuine kind smile. There was no question that Elizabeth was the love of his life from the way he talked about her and that he was devoted to his sons and their families in the way he lovingly mentioning them often also. My sincerest sympathy and prayers for peace to his family. I sense the earth mourning the loss of his spirit here, but Heaven, and Elizabeth, and our Savior, are rejoicing at his return. 🙏🏻
Thank you dear friend for being such a powerful example to all.. It was a great blessing to work and serve with you. I’m happy to know that a reunion with loved ones has happened.
We love our President Hedquist! Wonderful Patriarch
and Stake President.
Steve and Liz were powerful and loving examples of how to be followers of Jesus. Steve shared many personal and heart felt stories and insights with our Ann Arbor stake in his many capacities that touched me to the core and helped shape my faith. Liz shared her heart through her music and service. I loved serving with her closely in Relief Society feeling her spunk and her love. Steve and Liz will always be remembered and missed as we wait for warm reunions with them in the next life. I'm glad they are together again.
I had many great wonderful years, rubbing your shoulders with Steve and Elizabeth in the Ann Arbor ward (watched their sons grow up.)
When Elizabeth went to Eastern Michigan University to get her doctorate in music, She came to me and asked me if I could record her doctoral performance at Eastern, which I was all too happy to do. I had the equipment, and was doing stake dances and other musical events.. I was thrilled that I could help her. What a wonderful, wonderful faith driven family. I will have no trouble recognizing them in the hereafter and look forward to seeing them once again.
It was with great sadness that I learned of Steve's passing. He was an outstanding leader and example of discipleship, an inspired teacher, and a good friend. I will cherish my memories of teaching with him, sharing discussions in our quorums, and hunting lost golf balls on the Brookside back nine. My condolences to his family and many friends.
My sincere condolences.
Steve is someone who I have always looked up to as a Theological Scholar. He knows the scriptures inside and out.
He was an amazing Stake President, going door to door to ask the neighbors of the Stake Building in Saline what their concerns were. My husband David and I attended the City Council meeting that was to approve the building of the building. It went on and on for over three hours. Every concern was addressed and several changes were made by the architect. Steve would be surprised to see the fullness of the natural fencing of trees surrounding the borders of the lot. I think of him every time I look at them.
He gave our daughter Julie her Patriarchal Blessing. I call it a ‘five tissue blessing’ - that is how many tissues I needed as the Blessing was given! It was the most spiritual experience of my life.
He and Liz were like two peas in a pod, peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, fries and a burger - you get the picture! What a beautiful example of a celestial marriage.
I love the way he would chuckle, pause a moment and then say something that was profound and/or funny. What an amazing man.
President Hedquist was our Branch President when the Young Single Adult Branch was formed in Ann Arbor. My Husband and I met, fell in love and were “married” by him after we were wed in the Washington DC Temple. We got the chance to introduce him to our adopted daughter Tiana. He will always hold a very special place in our hearts for the part he played in our lives and the lives of our friends in that Branch. We send our prayers and condolences to his family and please know that he was loved and admired more than words can express…he will be greatly missed.
What a dear man. I met him when my wife and I moved to Ann Arbor, and he made a lasting impression on me. I am grateful, indeed, for my association with him. God speed, brother Hedquist.
I am grateful to President Hedquist for his faithful service to the members of the Ann Arbor stake. The principles and work he and his counselors taught and performed were foundational for me, as I began wanting to become a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I still quote from the institute classes he taught and from stories of faithful members he shared. As you gather to remember him, my gift for you is that he helped change me by drawing me closer to Jesus Christ.
My dear sister I'm so sorry for your loss at this time, knowing that the pain you feel now won't be forever,because of our Savior Jesus Christ joy cometh in the morning. In the name of Jesus Christ amen
What a kind, gentle, wise, thoughtful and approachable man. He was a leader by his loving example, patience and deep insight. I will forever be grateful for the support he gave to me and my family while he was our patriarch, stake president, and temple president, and most importantly, our genuine friend. I always saw a pure example of the Savior's teachings in Steve.
He was such a kind man. Always in the services of others.
When I learned about Steve's passing, great sadness entered my heart and mind, but I also felt joy for his reunion with Liz. When I picture them in my mind, I think of what a wonderful example of love they showed to each other.
Steve was my branch president, and I always felt his love and concern for me. When I was applying for a teaching position at BYU-Hawaii, I asked Steve if he would write a letter of recommendation for me, which he did. To this day, I don't know what he wrote in the letter, but I am sure that he was a large part of the reason why I was hired. For that I will be forever grateful.
To Steve and Liz's sons, their wives, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, I offer my heartfelt condolences to all of you. May God bless and carry you through your times of grief!
With much aloha,
I’m so sorry for the passing of your father, Brother Hedquist. I was a seminary student of his at Brighton High from fall 1969-spring 1974. I was blessed to have him all three years.
I was talking about something he taught us back in high school to my husband, we are 70 yrs old now, Mark looked him up on his phone and found his obituary.
I had to watch the funeral and it was really great. I remember you older boys when you lived in our ward back then.
It was Butler 13th I believe.
Your Dad was such a great teacher. We loved him. He taught us so much. One thing I will never forget is when he told us all that the black members of our church would receive the priesthood and then he looked at us all and said you will see this happen. I felt the spirit strongly that day and I knew it was true and we would. A couple years after I graduated the blessings of priesthood and temple blessings was revealed. I heard the announcement over the radio. I just cried.
Your father had read it in all his sisters. I believe your Dad studied everything. I’ve never met anyone else who had read the discourses of Brigham Young, all of them. I tried and didn’t even finish a volume.
He was amazing. He will be a great benefit to the spirit world.
He is a great decouple of Jesus Christ.