Ulrike Anna Hegewald

Our beloved sister and aunt Ulrike (Uli) Anna Hegewald, age 81, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Uli was born on March 13, 1942, to Max and Margarethe Hegewald, in the city of Freiberg, state of Chemnitz, in Germany. After WWII her birthplace became part of East Germany. She was the youngest of nine children.

At the age of eight, Uli was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She remained a faithful and devoted member of the church her entire life. In 1956 she was sealed to her family in the Switzerland temple. She served as a missionary from 1965-1967 in the Austria mission, primarily serving in Austria. In her later years, she loved her service in the Salt Lake Temple where she blessed patrons with her ability to play the organ as they prepared for their temple sessions.

By the grace of God, Uli escaped from East Germany in 1956. She emigrated to the United States in 1970 and became a citizen of the United States of America in 1977. Life was not always easy in the United States for Uli, but she persevered and learned to appreciate the freedoms of this country.

Uli held numerous positions and jobs, but she was most proud of becoming a Certified Technologist in Microbiology in 1989. She used her training to become a lab technician at Primary Children’s Hospital, where she worked for 15 years.

Not only gifted with intellect, she used her skills and talents to bless the lives of others. She was a gifted artist, painting dozens of beautiful oil paintings that adorned her house and the houses of those she loved. As an accomplished pianist and organist, with a particular love for playing church hymns, she served as the organist in her congregation for many years. She was also a devoted gardener, looking after her plot of land with great care and affection, and sharing the bounteous harvest of fruits and vegetables with others.

Although Uli never had the opportunity to be a mother herself, she was a beloved aunt–Tante Uli– to her many nieces and nephews. She showed a genuine interest in each of their lives and never forgot a birthday–either leaving a birthday message on their phone or sending a heartfelt card in the mail. Often a few dollars would be inserted into a Christmas, birthday, or recognition card–similar to the widow’s mite offering. She was generous not only with her modest funds, but with her affection. She was always the life of every Thanksgiving and Christmas celebration.

Uli is survived by her two brothers, Rudolf and Hans Hegewald. She is predeceased by her parents, Max and Margarethe and her brothers Clemens, Gerhard, and Heinz; and her sisters Judith, Helga and Lena.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, July 10, 2023, in the Wells Ward, 607 East Downington Avenue, Salt Lake City. Viewing will be at 11:00 and the funeral will begin at noon.

Her family and friends will miss her as she continues her journey on the other side of the veil.

Please have flowers be delivered to Larkin Mortuary (260 East South Temple).