Karl Heinz Hegerhorst September 7, 1926 - January 15, 2026

Karl passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 15, 2026 in Highland, Utah at 99 years of age. He was industrious, faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and was always willing to lend a hand to someone else.
Karl was born in Reinsen, Germany September 7,1926 to Fred H. Hegerhorst and Karoline Ohlendorf. He was the third of five boys in the family. His family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1924 and immigrated to Utah in 1929.
His parents established the Hegerhorst Dairy in Salt Lake City that included producing and delivering milk to the local community. Karl learned the value of hard work and was the primary force for the final two years of the dairy operation. Karl served in the Navy during World War II and was assigned on a refueling tanker for two years. He was called in 1948 to serve in the Western Canada Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Karl married the love of his life, Mabel Elizabeth Hobbs, January 29, 1952 in the Salt Lake City Temple. They raised a family of eight children who were his highest priority in life. He and Mabel built three homes: Salt Lake City (1953), Riverton, Utah (1963) and Benjamin, Utah (1979).
He worked for Filtrol, SLC, for 28 years and later was employed at Nature Sunshine in Spanish Fork for 10 years until he retired in 1991. He lived his final years with his daughter, Karen James and her family.
Karl loved fishing at Schofield Reservoir, spending time outdoors, gardening, reading, watching BYU sports, and chocolate. He loved hunting with his brothers and his sons. He was an extraordinary handyman and DIYer. Karl blessed his family and others with his skills in masonry, plumbing, cement work, tile, framing and was a hands-on mechanic for the family. He also taught these skills to his children.
His years of church service included serving a church mission with Mabel in the Arizona Tucson Mission and as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple for 16 years. His life was a constant expression of his love for Jesus Christ.
Karl was preceded in death by his wife Mabel, his parents and brothers, Fred, Bill, and Walter and a grandson, Noah Talley. Karl is survived by his brother Ronald of Idaho; children: Diane Peel (Bob) of Lehi, Lynann Meibos (Lynn) of Montgomery, Texas, Brent (Lisa) of Spanish Fork, Karen James (Cecil) of Highland, Carla Russell of Benjamin, Wendy Giddings (Shane) of Cedar Hills, Steven (Becky) of American Fork, and Heidi Kemp (Ed) of Richfield, 26 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Saturday, January 31, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the Benjamin 2nd Ward, 3238 West 7300 South, Benjamin, Utah. The funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Benjamin City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Carrie and Michael of Utah Home and Hospice for their care of our father.