Grant A. Muhlestein

GRANT MUHLESTEIN

Grant Muhlestein 11/4/1918 ~ 5/26/2010 Grant Alvey Muhlestein, age 91, passed away May 26, 2010, greatly loved and surrounded by his family. Grant was born November 4, 1918 in Provo, Utah to Ephraim Ammon and Lillie Alvey Muhlestein. He married his eternal companion, Lillie Belle Tidwell, October 2, 1941 in the Salt Lake Temple. Their marriage of 69 years is a great and devoted love story. Grant served in the US Army during World War II on the Pacific front and miraculously returned home decorated with a purple heart. Under the G.I. Bill he enrolled in the Salt Lake Vocational School to become a master builder. For over 20 years he built custom homes and developed many subdivisions, most notably St. Mary's Hills. He became a commercial building contractor in the 1970s building a number of large projects in the western United States and Hawaii. He retired in his mid-seventies from contracting leaving a legacy of outstanding homes and buildings. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as the first bishop of the Monument Park 11th ward. Grant and Lillie were called to serve together on the YMMIA General Board Dance Committee and taught youth all over the world to dance. You could always count on Grant to do his very best with any assignment. He set a high standard of excellence. His favorite calling in the church was stake missionary and he was passionate about teaching the restored gospel to those interested, especially to his children and grandchildren. His love of the scriptures was his trademark and influenced his grandchildren in their decisions to serve full time missions. He spent a lifetime developing and sharing hobbies: piloting small aircraft, photography, video productions, ballroom dancing, waterskiing, boating, and golf. Grant's greatest joy came from his sweet wife, caring children and delightful grandchildren, both great and grand! He is survived by his wife, Lillie; five children: Gayle (Calvin) Clegg, Nancy Swaner, Linda Terry, David (Paula) Muhlestein, Janet (Ken) Davis; 21 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; sisters: Naomi Anderson, Donna Truscott, Joy (Dan) Higbee, Lillie (Gareth) Peterson; brothers: Arnold (Dorothy) Muhlestein, Ray (Joyce) Muhlestein. He is preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law Stephen Swaner; great-grandson Joseph Coles; brother Lester Muhlestein; sister Jean Thorpe; brothers-in-law: Walt Anderson, Bud Truscott. Funeral Services: Tuesday June 1st, 2010 1 p.m. at the Monument Park Stake Center; 1320 South Wasatch Drive. Viewings: Monday May 31st 7-9 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn; 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Tuesday June 1st 11:30 a.m-12:45 p.m. at the Monument Park Stake Center. Interment: Larkin Sunset Lawn. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund or the LDS Missionary Fund. The family would like to express gratitude to the workers at the VA Hospital and Garden Terrace for their love and kindness to our father and husband. Online condolences: www.larkinmortuary.com

{The funeral was on Tuesday and it was beautiful. Several of Grant's loved ones shared stories of him, including Michael and his father. They both did wonderful. Michael's talk represented his siblings as well as his own feelings toward Grant. I never did get to meet the real Grant. He had Alzheimers for nearly the last 10 years of his life. It was neat to hear about the wonderful man he was. He was described as the epitome of integrity, devotion and love. We will miss him, but take great comfort in knowing that he is now happy, healthy, and that we will see him once again.}