Paul Frischknecht

Paul Frischknecht, Christianburg, Utah

    Our beloved Paul Randy Frischknecht, 76, was relieved of his physical suffering from cancer in the early morning hours of February 2, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his family. Paul, affectionately known as “Dinger,” was born in Gunnison on November 8, 1947, to Kay and Jean Frischknecht of Manti. Paul grew up with a passion for sheep, cattle, ranching, hard work, and mischief along with his brothers and sisters. He was the third of nine children. 

    Paul graduated from Manti High School in 1966, where he played basketball. His Templar team won the state championship his senior year. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rochester, New York. He married Rebecca Mortensen from Ephraim in 1972. Together they had four children: Kamie F. (Greg) Brown, Preston (Holly) Frischknecht, Julie F. (Trace) Larsen and Rachelle Frischknecht. They later divorced. 

    Paul graduated from Snow College and obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science at Utah State University. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Utah Law School in 1975. He returned to Manti and pursued his legal career. He served as Sanpete County Prosecutor, Sanpete County Public Defender, and city attorney for Manti and other local towns during his legal career. 

    He married Marla Mickelsen Hansen from Redmond in 1998, and with that marriage came four stepchildren: Kimberly (Mark) Christenson, Marty (Keriann) Hansen, Brandon (Tressa) Hansen, and Kade (Maghan) Hansen. 

    Paul was always devoted to ranching and Frischknecht Livestock. Broken Arrow Ranch had thousands of sheep, hundreds of cows, some horses, mules, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, llamas, and even some temporary inhabitants like the elk that followed the cows home from the mountain one year. Paul was proud of his involvement with the Governor’s Agriculture Advisory Board, Utah State Board of Big Game Control, National Animal Damage Control Advisory Committee, and Bureau of Land Management District Advisory Board. He served as president of  the Utah State Wool Growers Association, the American Sheep Industry, and the National Public Lands Council as well as many other local and national positions. He also shared ownership of Iowa Lamb Corporation. Paul was the epitome of hard work. He lived nearly all his days doing what he loved, starting before sunrise and not stopping until after dark, often changing sprinklers throughout the night and regularly retrieving the errant cows on the highway. His clothing displayed his hard work as a badge of honor and a supply of Dr. Pepper helped fuel him through the day. 

    Paul loved the gospel, his Heavenly Father, and was an expert at reciting scriptures at a moment’s notice. He served as a Sunday School teacher, Elders Quorum president and was on the Stake High Council. While he was admittedly very stubborn, he shared that the most important things in life were family, repentance, and forgiveness. 

    Paul is survived by his wife; children; stepchildren; siblings: John (Susan) Frischknecht, Steve (Kathy) Frischknecht, Kent (Jenny) Frischknecht, Joe (Barbara) Frischknecht, Kristine (Cordell) Frischknecht-Christensen, Mary (Rod) Anderson and Ann (Val) Anderson; 33 grandchildren, and (almost) 11 great-grandchildren. 

    He is preceded in death by his parents; and brother Fred Frischknecht.

    Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Mayfield Ward Chapel, where friends may call Tuesday evening from 6-7 p.m. or Wednesday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.  Burial will be in the Redmond Cemetery.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Live streaming and online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com below Paul’s obituary.