Alvin Robert Walkenhorst was born August 6, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Utah. His parents were Robert Gustav Walkenhorst and Lena Pauline Friedrike Westwerwelle Walkenhorst who had immigrated to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1923. Al passed away, Tuesday, January 5, 2022 at home surrounded by his wife of seventy years and his seven children.
As a young boy he and his friends had fun adventurous childhoods building forts and tunnels in the fields of South Salt Lake. When he was twelve he began his bakery career with his father at Sugarhouse Bakery. He learned to decorate cakes from his Granite High School baking teacher and in 1948 Carol's Pastry Shop was born. He worked side by side with his father and brother Bob. He decorated birthday, wedding and speciality cakes. They made danish, breads, pastries and thousands of eclairs. In 2019 a short video as part of the PBS series "This is Utah" was produced and Carol's was highlighted as a successful small business in Utah. Their segment won the Rocky Mountain Regional Emmy Award.
Al was drafted into the army in 1951. One weekend in July 1951 while on leave, he married Joyce Marie Hartman. In 1965 they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Al has had a rich and abundant life. He liked to travel, having been to Europe, especially Germany. He enjoyed Australia, Canada and many states in the United States. He had a great appreciation for cars, mostly old or classics from his model T's to his Cutlass and Mustang. He had a beautiful cabin in Lambs Canyon and loved going there and taking family with him.
Al is survived by his wife Joyce and seven children. Debbie (Ron Loock), George, (Alvin Robert Jr.) (DeLynn Hanson), Carol (Jim Dahl), Laurie, Richard (Stephanie Mecham), Susan (Dennis Trate), Kurt (Patti Quintero). They have 21 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Bob Walkenhorst (LaVon). He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Helyne and Norma and Brother Bill. Many nieces and nephews survive him.
There will be a viewing Tuesday, January 11, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, UT 84121. A second viewing will be Wednesday morning, January 12, 2022 from 9:30 am until 10:45 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 9636 South 1700 East, Sandy, UT 84097 with funeral services at the Church at 11:00 am.
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2020
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Apr 14, 2021
I'll miss you Al and our conversation and your wonderful smile... ♥️
Dear Al's family,
I was saddened to hear of Al's passing. I first met Al at Alta Ridge Assisted Living six years ago where he would come every Sunday morning to assist with the LDS church services. I loved the way he greeted everyone. He was so kind to my husband. Always greeting him by calling him by name and making us feel so welcome. He was so gracious towards me as well. I enjoyed visits with him at the bakery where he would always take time to greet and make me feel so welcome.
I pray that all of you will be comforted and blessed by the holy spirit and with the knowledge of knowing you will see him again. He was a very special and wonderful man.
Al was one of a kind, I mean who else would have two Model T cars in his bakery where he worked. Al, was a patriot who loved his country and was proud of his service in the US Army. A model of success as a self made, hard working, small business owner. Al was a family first man and a great friend to all who met him. Prayers and condolences to all of the family. God Bless you Al, see you when I get there.
I am so sorry for your loss. Growing up in the same neighborhood as the Walkenhorst family, I loved the birthday cakes we got each year. And the many treats we received the rest of the year. We also loved watching Al with his many cars. It was fun to ride in them too. I was sad when they moved as we lost a wonderful family in the area. May each of you find the peace you seek and know that you will one day be reunited again. I will always cherish the time we spent together.
Sending love and prayers to the Walkenhorst family and all who love this incredible man...
Our family has enjoyed the special treats that Al created all these years and we cherish the memories of the birthdays with the fruit-filled white cakes and hope to continue to purchase more in the future. He was a talented baker and our family sends their condolences to the entire Walkenhorst clan.
My deepest condolences. He was a very special man. May Heavenly Father bring peace and comfort to the family.
It was always a great day when I got to go to Carol's Bakery. I had found from Al that my Father Robert and his brothers Don and Joe worked with Al and Bob in their father's bakery in Sugar House. Al was visiting with Carol at Distinctive Catering and saw my time card and asked me if I knew Bob, Don, and Joe. I said Bob was my father. Being at the bakery became part of my family, because I could talk to some one that knew my father when they were young. My wife also picked up things from them where she worked in Magna. As far as I am concerned, there is no other bakery in town. We will miss all of those wonderful things he made.
We are saddened to learn of Al's Passing. We all remember him as a gracious and generous host and a great Lambs Canyon neighbor. We express our sympathy and pray for comfort and peace to the Walkenhorst family.
Al will be missed but left an awesome legacy. Al and Bob were pillars in the community. Talk about a life of service providing the bakery goods they did. Truly outstanding. And such warm and generous people. Thanks.