Joseph Earl Hurdsman

Joseph Hurdsman

West Valley City

Joseph Earl Hurdsman, 76, our beloved dad, grandpa, great-Pop-Pop, brother, uncle, and friend, unexpectedly passed from this life to the next on April 25, 2020 in Richfield, Utah. Joe was born September 7, 1943 in Richfield to Earl and Ella Ipson Hurdsman. He was the oldest child of four and is survived by his sister, Pearl (Mark Cummings).

To say Heaven will move a little slower today, is likely an understatement. Our father will likely slow things down just a bit, to a country-style pace. He liked things done "His" way and at his speed. A country boy at heart, there was never any rush, small was better, and there was an inexplicable love for his childhood upbringing in the country.

He attended Richfield High School and continues the friendships made there so long ago. He worked in a bakery as a teenager and always loved to bake and share his creations with all those around him.

Joe accomplished many things in his life. He served an honorable mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Northern Central States Mission. Later, he was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War, where he worked on helicopters and drove supplies by jeep.

On January 26, 1968, he married his sweetheart, Darlene Ruth Abramowski, in the St. George Temple. He was a loving father to five children: Kristin (Clinton Vinson), Jennifer (Shane Davis), Julie (Travis Colledge), Kurt (Angie), and Kevin (Jodi). Proud grandpa to seven grandsons, three granddaughters, and great Pop-Pop to two great-grandchildren.

Joe was a true man of the outdoors and loved to camp, fish, hunt, and be outside with his family. Even after losing part of his eyesight in an assault during an attempted carjacking, he still went hunting as often as he could. He loved riding his four wheeler just to see the scenery or go visit a neighbor.

Joe was a true jack of all trades and he could jerry-rig just about anything and loved to show others how to do it. He always believed it was better to do things right, than to rush and not do it "as it should be done." He loved tractors, mechanical things, and a challenge. It didn’t matter if it could be done quicker, cheaper or more efficiently. The challenge of being able to do it on his own, with whatever he had was more important.

With so many life experiences, Joe was a man of many stories. He had a story for every occasion (whether it be about his mission, his time in the Army, or otherwise) and he especially loved making up bedtime stories for his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He LOVED John Deere tractors and anything to do with the iconic brand. He loved to gift all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren their very own model tractor when they were born and even loved to get on the floor and play tractors with them. It was a regular occurrence to find him on all fours, playing tractors or giving horsey rides to his grandchildren. Until he passed away, even with the pain he had in his knees and back, he loved to do this with his great- grandchildren.

Toward the end of his life, Joe bought the home his grandfather built in 1909, located in Junction, Utah, and loved spending time there with his family. Countless memories were made there with his children and grandchildren that will never be forgotten.

He loved to tease and tell jokes (no matter how many times you’d heard it before). He loved the gospel, the Boy Scouts, and missionary work, and never stopped being a missionary.

He had an incredibly big heart and loved easily. He didn’t hold it against you if you had made poor choices in your life or if you were rich or poor. He just became your friend. He could often be found serving others, which is exactly what he was doing when his aorta suddenly ruptured.

Joe was a man of sound faith and had an unshakeable testimony. He served for a number of years as a temple worker in the Jordan River Temple and often spoke of how our mother helped him from the other side of the veil with his work there. After 15 years, he now returns to the embrace of his beloved companion, Darlene.

We love you forever!

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Darlene; siblings: John Hurdsman and Katherine Kunz.

Private family funeral services will be held Friday, May 1, 2020 at 12:00 Noon. Live streaming of the services will be available at www.maglebymortuary.com on Joseph’s obituary page, where online guestbook entries can be made as well. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery with military honors. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti.