Reed Gunnar Spjut

So on December 5th it has been twelve years since my grandpa Reed Gunnar Spjut died. I only knew him for six years as he and my grandma were married in 1994. Even though we were step grandkids he never made me feel as if I wasn't important to him. He loved just as he did his other grandkids. 

I remember one time we were down in Cowpuncher. Grandma and Grandpa were forest rangers down there every summer. We would go stay in this cabin there. I remember one year we were down there around my birthday. I had gotten the Nancy doll that would talk. I remember one morning while down there Grandpa had to go check the gates to make sure none of the cows would get out. It was just he and I (I of course was carrying my Nancy doll in a carrier I had gotten.) going down to check on the cows. I also remember that they always had Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream in their freezer as that was Grandpa's favorite ice cream. That is also my favorite ice cream and was very happy to have something in common with Grandpa. 

I remember at Christmas time he would always setup his train and we would just sit there and play with it. I remember it would start on one wall by the fire place and turn on to another wall and go around the Christmas Tree. 

I loved my Grandpa Reed. He was the Grandpa that I always wanted and needed. They lived in Salt Lake and so we would often be at their house. We were sealed to my Grandpa Reed after he had passed. I guess they always planned to do it but never got to it before he died. I am so thankful for the sealing power and that I get to have my Grandpa Reed be a part of my life forever. 

I know that now it has been twelve years and I am starting to forget what he looked like. But I will always remember that day in cowpuncher, how much he loved me and how much he loved my Grandma.

Below is his obituary. I was hoping there would be a picture with it also but no such luck. But it will be nice to have this so that I can always remember the man that he was. 

Reed Gunnar Spjut

 Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Reed Gunnar Spjut, 72, passed away in his home December 5, 2000.

Born on Aug. 23, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Reed grad-uated from Granite High School. He served in the U.S. Army and Air Force, after which he obtained his B. S. degree in Geology from the U. of U. In March of 1954, Reed married his sweet-heart, Gloria Marie Lloyd in the Salt Lake Temple. He was employed by Skyline and Texas Eastern Oil Companies, retiring in 1986. A devout member of the LDS Church, Reed served as Scout Master for 11 years, Finance Clerk, Executive Secretary and second counselor in the bishopric. He was a volunteer at the VAMC Hospital Branch for eight years, where he was in the branch presidency. After Gloria's untimely death, Reed married Kay Bateman Ensign in October of 1994 in the Salt Lake Temple. During the six years of their marriage, they enjoyed working with the Forest Service on Boulder Mountain. At the time of his death, Reed was a Service Missionary in the Natural Resources Real Estate Division of the LDS Church.

Survived by his wife, Kay; children: Leanna Spjut Ballard (Clark) of Sandy; R. Erik Spjut (Karen) of Alta Loma, CA; Scott R. Spjut (Gina) of W. Bountiful; Stephanie Spjut Evans of West Valley City and 14 grandchildren; step-sons: Philip W. Ensign (Lisa) of Denver, CO; Craig A. Ensign (Belinda) of Highland; Michael D. Ensign (Christena) of Salt Lake City and six step-grandchildren who called Reed grandpa. Also survived by brothers: Raymond and Roy Spjut and sister, Norma Peterson. Preceded in death by parents, Gunnar E. and Esther Strand Spjut; wife, Gloria M. Spjut and granddaughter, Sara Ballard.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000 at 11 a.m. at the Bonneville LDS Stake House, 1535 Bonneview Dr. Friends may call on Friday 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 So. Highland Dr. and on Sat. at the church 9:45-10:45 a.m., prior to services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.