Family, Friends and Community Say Goodbye to Former Governor Norm Bangerter
The services, presided by Elder W. Craig Zwick, included wonderful memories for his children who’s life with their dad was full of glorious lessons and the teachings of hard work.
Ann B Gayheart, his daughter said her father was born on Utah’s birthday January 4th, 1933 (wondering if that was a sign of the times that lay ahead). She was raised with the understanding that integrity and honesty had value and were the most important qualities you could have. Remembering times that showed her what an example he was to everyone. “I was home for college one weekend and there was a knock at the door. When I opened it there was a man standing there with a big turkey. He asked if Mr. Bangerter was home but I told him no. He asked me if I would tell my dad thank you so much for helping him one night when he had a flat tire at 2 am. He was stranded along 4100 south and he didn’t have a spare tire but that my dad stopped and asked if he could help. He took him to get one, then helped him change his tire and then sent him in his way. I will always remember that story. ”
It was well known that former Gov. Bangerter was a faithful member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. “He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and a great example of faithful servance to our Lord.” said Gayheart. Ending her prelude with a thank you to his most recent wife Judy, whom he married after his wife of 58 years passed in 2011. “We can never repay you for taking care of our dad the last three years and all the love and support you have given our family”
His son Erdman Jake, who met Bangerter 44 years ago at the age of 15 was grateful that Mr. Bangerter took him in as a teen who had fallen on hard times. He said the Bangerter family embraced him, helped him and showed him the gospel. “Because of the blessings I have had in knowing him, his family and to be able to learn about my savior, I have truly felt as though I was his son. I knew he loved me and loved my family. He took me in and gave me water to grow.” He said that he taught him to always work hard. He instilled in me that if you start a job, you work til you are done. “My son is ten days away from returning from his mission, he was given an opportunity to return home early for the services but he respectfully declined stating ‘I have a job to finish, and that is what grandpa would have wanted me to do,’ this is what he instilled in my family.”
His son Jordan H Bangerter said, “as a small boy I remember one of the first lessons my dad taught me was when I was riding with my dad, he was Stake President at the time, and at the stake house the parking lot lines had been re-painted. When we got there to inspect the new parking lines we noticed several of them were labeled as personal parking spots for the Stake President and his presiding officers. We immediately went down to the hardware store and bought bright yellow spray paint. We went back and painted over them. He never wanted to be treated above anyone else.”
His daughter Alayne B. Isom said “My dad always gave my mom credit for how we turned out however the truth is they just made a great pair. They showed us by example what we needed to do and how we should treat each other. My dad encourage education and frugality. He loved gardening in the last few years with Judy and he taught me a lot about patriotism. We knew at a young age to honor our country.”
She talked fondly about many memories of playing hard and riding four wheelers as a family. “He used to always try to keep up with my brothers and he usually ended up spraining an ankle or hurting something.” said Isom.
She further stated “The most important thing he taught us was unconditional love and appreciation for everyone. When he met and started dating Judy they managed to blend the two most precious families together. My dad used to say that the thing he loved about Judy is that she likes to talk about my mom, even more than he did.” She concluded her message with “I wish every kid could have a dad like mine”
The memorial services were then graced with the Don Ripplinger family singing “Each Life That Touches Ours for Good”
His son, Blair W. Bangerter, said that his dad wore a lot of suits. He had so many given to him by Mr. Mac at a good price that he often called his closet “Normstroms.” “My dad used to say he wasn’t the best at anything, often given credit to others for being smarter, stronger and funnier. But he knew he was a great team player, always supporting those that he felt would do a better job and only decided to run for government when two he supported decided not to.”
Adam A Bangerter, the youngest of the Bangerter children, said “You have no idea how grateful I am that I did not work for my dad.” Reminding others that although he was spoiled, he didn’t get away from being chastised. “He did that to everyone, including Senator Orrin Hatch and Governor Leavitt, so no one should have felt left out.” He remembered that even though his dad’s circle of friends was always expanding, he was loyal to those closest to him but never excluded anyone. I will miss all the conversations with my father but I will never forget the lessons he taught me.”
Son Garret N Bangerter spoke briefly about memories of his dad when he was a young teen and that he taught him obedience and hard work. “He taught me to put my shoulder to the wheel and not to be afraid to work hard in everything I did. That it would make us a better family.” For his dad, family always came first, even when he was Governor, he was a father first.
Lastly his wife Judy spoke to the congregation and said she was asked by Norm’s children to speak about “just myself and Norm, that I always talk about their mother and I just am supposed to talk about us.” Through the tears she wanted everyone to know that she became a better person because of him. “Because he loved me and he loved his family more than anything in the world. He loved his sisters and grandchildren so much. The sweetest day of my life was at the hospital and each children were there and let him know that they will always remember the things he taught them.
She said she felt so privileged to be a part of his life and all of his children. “I loved him and I loved being with him.”
The services continued graveside at the South Jordan City Cemetery where the dedication of the grave was given by his son in law Steven Isom.
Senator Orrin Hatch and former Congressman Jim Hansen both spoke with Gephardt Daily prior to the services today. “We used to play golf together, he loved to play golf. Occasionally he would swear and it always made me laugh.” Said Hatch. He remebers how dedicated he was to serving the people of Utah and this country. “He used to call me so upset with the way Washington was run, with how people were not doing the things they should be doing and he wanted me to change things right now.” He spoke fondly of the man he called one of his closest friends. “Norm Bangerter was a man of truth, if he said he was gong to do something he would. He did what he believed was right no matter what the cost.”
Former Congressman James Hansen said “I don’t know of a more honest person. I have never seen another guy who would just sit down and talk to everybody like Norm did. He didn’t care if you were a ditch digger or a billionaire, he talked to them and worked with them.”
Norman H. Bangerter was born in Granger, Utah. Norman H. And was a Republican who was elected in 1984 as Utah’s 13th governor and served from 1985 until 1993. Prior to his election, Bangerter founded a successful construction firm that specialized in building homes. He served in the Utah House of Representatives from 1975 to 1985 and as Speaker of that body from 1981 to 1985.
During his tenure as governor, Bangerter dealt with the flooding of the Great Salt Lake and its tributaries by approving the construction of large, $60 million pumps to channel excess water from the Great Salt Lake onto the Bonneville Salt Flats. This was initially successful, yet caused some controversy when the lake’s water level fell in later years, and some regarded the idle pumps as wasteful.
After his retirement as governor, Bangerter returned to his construction firm and served for three years as president of the South Africa Johannesburg Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1996 to 1999.
The Bangerter Highway (SR-154), which opened in 1998, was named after the former governor, who had long supported such a road.
In 2008, Bangerter was appointed to the Governing Board for the national children’s charity Operation Kids.
