Herb Gukeisen

Central Valley, Utah – Herb Gukeisen passed away at the age of 101 on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024. Herbert Bernard Gukeisen, born January 28, 1923, grew up in Parkston, South Dakota, son of Agnes Anna Grosz Gukeisen and Michael Edward Gukeisen, among several loving and boisterous siblings: Bill, Sam, Clarence, Margaret, Marie, Wilma, Agnes, and Barbara. They loved to laugh and would play all manner of tricks like ‘short-sheeting’ each other. Growing up on the farm, Herb developed the work ethic that so many benefited from throughout his life. Though the family went through tough years—one memorable year, it cost more to send the pigs to market than they fetched at auction—they never went hungry. Herb used to scoff at ‘rustic’ mashed potatoes with the peels left in—he had never been so poor he had to eat peelings!

As a kid Grandpa learned ‘mechanicin’ from one of his uncles. Local farmers would hire him to fix their tractors and even pay Herb as a boy of 13 to finish up an overhaul—because he could put it together correctly, set the timing, and do many other precise tasks that his uncle Nick had taught him. Herb chose to join the U.S. Navy to be able to get the specialized training to become a diesel mechanic. Herb argued with his father to get permission as a minor since he was under 21 years old when he enlisted, "better sign up and get to choose my path instead of waiting and getting drafted to the front line!" As he was leaving for the Navy, his father told him "Remember to make your bed because you gotta sleep in it!” So in the Navy, Herb learned how to make the bed so tight you could bounce a quarter off it. (It wasn't until some years later that he realized that his dad had been telling him an analogy about life and not giving him advice about bedding!)

In 1945, Herb met Martha Maurine Case at a dance in San Diego, CA while serving in the Navy. They knew they were safe companions, because she wasn’t marrying a Catholic or a farmer, and he wasn’t about to marry any morons (later–it was clarified she was instead a ‘Mormon’, a member of “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints”). Six months later, Herb was ordered up to Seattle, and shortly after, a series of long distance phone calls led to an impromptu proposal for Maurine to travel up to marry and join him. She agreed, and their life together began on July 6, 1946.

Over the years, Maurine kept up this pattern of traveling off to join Herb for many adventures. After the Navy, Herb worked as a mechanic on large construction equipment and over the years his work took them to Alaska, Guam, and Hawaii, with Darwin joining in for all the adventures as soon as he came along in October of 1950. After much galavanting, they settled in Roy, UT for many years until Herb retired from Mechanic life, and they moved to Central Valley, UT to farm and be close to Maurine’s family. At age 90, Herb tapered back to only farming ‘a little’ (30 acres) and continued farming until well into his 90s.

In the years after Herb and Maurine were married, Herb joined the LDS faith and their marriage was solemnized in the Manti Temple on January 13th, 1955. Herb was an active and inspiring member of the LDS faith, most recently as part of the Central Valley 1st Ward. Herb served the church in many ways: he and Maurine served a mission together in Portland, OR; he volunteered weekly in the Manti Temple for over 15 years, as well as serving his local ward in many callings over the years. Herb was also a wonderful neighbor and friend to those around him, and very few neighborhood children left his house without a refreshing sody-pop.

Herb was loved much by his friends, neighbors, and family, and was especially close to his grandson, Dave Gukeisen, who spent many childhood summers on the farm with his Grandpa Herb learning how to figure things out and become a ‘cowboy-canic’. As an adult, Dave usually visited his mentor and best friend at least weekly, especially after Maurine passed. Dave and Herb even traveled together on ‘bachelor trips’ to visit Herb’s family in South Dakota “one last time” at age 89…and again at age 93. On his last full day on this earth, Dave told his grandpa “I’m not going to miss you, because I know you’ll always be there with me. Don’t worry—you taught me how to figure things out, so I’ll be just fine. It's time to go see your mom and Grandma Maurine—please give them both a big hug from me.”

Herb was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, 2 months, and 3 days—Maurine Gukeisen. She passed away September 8, 2006. Herb has been waiting 17 years, 10 months, and 23 days to be able to give his wife Maurine a big hug and kiss. (She’ll probably ‘tie knots in his head’ for making her wait so long. Luckily, they were sealed for eternity, so they may just about have enough time for all the love they share.) Herb was also preceded in death by his grandson-in-law Dean Register; his siblings—Bill Gukeisen, Sam Gukeisen, Clarence Gukeisen, Margie Gehring, and Marie Doering; his parents Agnes and Michael, and by many dear friends.

Herb is survived by his sisters Agnes Hart, Wilma Palmateer, and Barbara Nelson; his only child, Darwin Gukeisen, Darwin’s wife Valerie Gukeisen, and their children: Laura Gukeisen Register; Arnold Gukeisen and his wife Keri Gukeisen; Anne Gukeisen Ludlow, her husband Brent Ludlow, and their children: Michael, Michelle, Matthew, and Gracie Ludlow; Martha Gukeisen and her son Isaac Winslow; and Dave Gukeisen, and many dear friends. Special thanks from our family to the hospice workers and other members of Herb’s care team for helping him live so well for so long.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. in the Central Valley1stt LDS Ward Chapel, 49 North Central Blvd in Central Valley, where friends may call for viewing Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 10:30 prior to the services.

Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Herb’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.

Burial with military honors accorded by the Sevier Valley American Legion Post #37 and the Utah Honor Guard will be in the Annabella Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.

FUNERAL SERVICES LIVESTREAM