Werner Wolfram Birth 1932 - 2016

Werner Wolfram Birth passed away peacefully on August 16, 2016. He was born in Schneidemühl, Germany on April 10, 1932. Because of the war, his family was forced to leave their home and they moved to Cottbus in 1945. While there, he met Eva Maria Sellner and they were married on October 25, 1957. After they were married and were expecting their first child, Werner was called to serve an LDS mission in East Germany. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple.

Werner and Eva immigrated to the United States in 1961 and made their home in Salt Lake City. He worked with fiberglass at Hydro Swift, Edo Western and 3D Art. He also worked with his family at Beehive Glass for many years. Werner enjoyed working with his hands and was a very talented glazier, builder and problem solver. He also loved to work with wood, carving spoons, puzzles and other trinkets.

His greeting to all was, “So, vat else is new?” Our dad was outgoing and loved to sing, perform and tell stories. He always had a joke to tell, followed by his trademark “s…s…s” laugh. He and his sweetheart were members of the German Harmony Choir for many years. “Papa” spent a great deal of time fishing and boating with his children and grandchildren at their cabin at Bear Lake.

Werner was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-­day Saints and gave many years of service in a variety of callings. We are so grateful for his testimony and faith in Christ. Family was important to Werner. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eva Maria; parents, Friedrich and Emma; siblings, Gerhardt, Ruth Daniels, Edith Rohloff, Irmgard Koenig, Nephi, Eva, Christa Koenig, Margaret Christensen, and Peter. He is survived by his children, Ruben (Tamra), Jared (Karen), Miriam (Lynda), Wilford (Teresa), David, Mike (Heidi), and Orson; his sister, Brigitte Foster (Jerry), 18 grandchildren and 6 great­-grandchildren.

We would like to thank the doctors and healthcare professionals who have helped us during the last 3½ years in caring for our father. We want to give special thanks to Miriam for her many selfless hours she spent attending to dad’s needs and keeping him entertained!

Funeral services will be held Monday, August 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Crystal Heights 1st Ward, 1970 E. Stratford Ave. (2560 South). A viewing will be held prior to the service from 8:30-­9:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Garden City Cemetery, Garden City, Utah at 3:00 p.m.