Former governor Norm Bangerter laid to rest


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WEST JORDAN — Former Gov. Norm Bangerter was remembered Saturday for the strength of his family and faith at funeral services attended by state leaders, including Gov. Gary Herbert.

"It's been overwhelming. He seemed to touch everyone's life," son Adam Bangerter said after services at the LDS Institute of Religion at the Salt Lake Community College Jordan Campus and the South Jordan City Cemetery.

The youngest of Bangerter's seven children became emotional describing a young boy he saw as the funeral procession drove through the community the former governor called home.

"It really touched me when we were driving, to see people stop and honor our father," Adam Bangerter said, especially a mother who "taught her son to remove his hat. That was such an honor for our dad. He was so grateful to serve the people of Utah."

He said the funeral service, which featured remembrances from family members, friends and LDS Church leaders but not from Bangerter's political life, lasted twice as long as his father had requested.

Bangerter was "not a big fanfare guy," Adam Bangerter said. "My dad was not very patient and was full of quick one-liners and he liked to deliver a quick message. But there's seven of us … and we all had some great memories of our father."

Elder W. Craig Zwick of of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints told a story about dedicating Bangerter Highway when he was head of the Utah Department of Transportation under then-Gov. Mike Leavitt.

Political leaders honor Bangerter

"We've lost a great leader, someone who's done a great service to the people of Utah — one of the great governors of all time — but his legacy will live on."
-Gov. Gary Herbert

"If I were to look at one of the finest individuals Utah has ever produced, I think it would be Norm Bangerter. I'm prejudiced (in that statement) because, frankly, I've worked with a lot of governors ... If Norm doesn't stand at the top of the heap, I don't know who would."
-Jim Hansen, former Utah congressman

"We did a lot together when he was governor. We worked together really closely. He was one of the great governors in the history of Utah, and one of the great governors in the country."
-Sen. Orrin Hatch

"I remember cutting a ribbon on Bangerter Highway," Elder Zwick said. "We looked for him. There he was, wearing a parka off to our side. … I'll always read those words with great respect."

He read a letter from the church's First Presidency to Bangerter's widow, Judy, that expressed "our love, condolences and sympathy. Brother Bangerter was an extraordinary man and an exceptional leader who achieved great success and brought honor and distinction to the great state of Utah."

Utah's current governor participated in the graveside service, accepting the flag that had draped the casket from members of the Utah Highway Patrol after a three-volley rifle salute and presenting it to Bangerter's widow.

Herbert said he presented the flag on behalf of the people of Utah, telling her, "We appreciate the life that Gov. Bangerter led as a great example of a great leader, and for the service and sacrifice of not only him, but his family."

Family was the focus of the funeral service, as his sons and daughters each spoke of the lessons about the value of hard work and faith learned from their father.

Daughter Ann Gayheart said the opening hymn, "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel" might as well have been Bangerter's theme song. She said he woke his children every morning with the refrain, "Get up, it's time to work."

She also spoke of a man who "gave service to innumerable people in quiet ways," including stepping up to cover a debt owed by business partners and driving a stranger with a flat tire across the valley late at night to get it repaired.

Son Jordan Bangerter spoke of the family on Tuesday talking after his father's death from complications due to a stroke earlier in the day about how best to honor the former state lawmaker, House speaker and two-term governor.

Gov. Gary Herbert delivers the casket flag to Judy Bangerter during the interment for her husband, former Gov. Norman H. Bangerter, at the South Jordan City Cemetery in South Jordan on Saturday, April 18, 2015. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
Gov. Gary Herbert delivers the casket flag to Judy Bangerter during the interment for her husband, former Gov. Norman H. Bangerter, at the South Jordan City Cemetery in South Jordan on Saturday, April 18, 2015. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

They talked about their father lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda as past governors have, "but it didn't seem to fit Dad," he said, describing how his father once painted over a special parking designation for him at his church stake center.

Son Blair Bangerter said his father always "freely admitted" he wasn't the smartest or the strongest or the hardest working person, "but he always liked to say he could be part of the team."

He said his father only entered politics when others decided not to run, "almost embarrassingly" acknowledging that he had "a little ambition" when it came to elected office.

During the eight years he served as governor, from 1985-1993, Adam Bangerter recalled his father catching him and his friends playing basketball in the Governor's Mansion. His response was only that he wanted to take a shot at the makeshift basket.

Son Erdman Jake recalled joining the family as a teenager who needed a home.

Bangerter, he said, helped him find his faith. He said his own son chose not to leave his church mission early to attend the funeral because "Grandpa would want me to finish the job."

Hundreds of people turned out to honor the former governor, including many members of Bangerter's administration as well as former and current elected officials from both parties.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Bangerter called him "all the time" to talk politics. "He always had advice and always bones to pick. Usually, they were always accurate," Hatch said. "I paid attention. He was a dear friend."

Former Utah Rep. Jim Hansen said Bangerter "was really a man of the people." Hansen, who served with Bangerter in the Utah Legislature," said Bangerter would take the time to talk to anyone.

"Norm didn't care if you were a ditch digger or you were a billionaire" Hansen said, calling Bangerter a man who knew how to work. "We used to say Bangerter can do things with both his hands and with his head. I don't know another like that."

Contributing: Heather Simonsen

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