Karl Heinz Hegerhorst

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September 7, 1926 – January 15, 2026

Karl passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 15, 2026 in Highland, Utah at 99 years of age. He was industrious, faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and was always willing to lend a hand to someone else.

Karl was born in Reinsen, Hessen-Nassau, Prussia, Germany in 1926 to Heinrich Friedrich Hegerhorst and Marie Louise Karoline Ohlendorf Hegerhorst. He was the third of five boys in the family. In Reinsen, the family was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in 1929 the family immigrated to Utah.

His parents established the Hegerhorst Dairy in Salt Lake City that included producing and delivering milk to the local community. Karl learned the value of hard work and was the primary force for the final two years of the dairy operation. Karl joined the Navy in 1946 and served on a refueling tanker for two years where he “saw the world”. In 1948 he was called to serve a two-year mission for his church in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada.

After returning to Salt Lake City, he became engaged to Mabel Hobbs whom he had met while serving in Canada. They married in 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. Karl built a home for the family in the 1960s in Riverton, Utah and later built another home in Benjamin, Utah in 1980. Karl and Mabel were the parents of eight children.

While living in Riverton Karl worked for Filtrol. Karl later worked at Nature Sunshine in Spanish Fork for 10 years until he retired in 1991. He spent his final years in the home of his daughter, Karen James after Mabel passed. He loved fishing at Schofield Reservoir almost as much as watching BYU sports.

Karl loved fishing and spending time outdoors. He also loved hunting with his brothers. He was an extraordinary handyman and DIYer. He built 2 houses. He could do masonry, plumbing, cement work, lay tile, framing and was also a fair mechanic as he had to fix cars for 8 kids. He also taught these skills to his kids.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mabel, his parents and three brothers, Fred, Bill, and Walter and a grandson, Noah Talley. Karl is survived by his brother Ronald of Cascade, Idaho; children: Diane Peel (Bob) of Lehi, Lynann Meibos (Lynn) of Montgomery, Texas, Brent (Lisa) of Spanish Fork, Karen James (Cecil) of Highland, Carla Russell of Benjamin, Wendy Giddings (Shane) of Cedar Hills, Steven (Becky) of American Fork, and Heidi Kemp (Ed) of Richfield, 26 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held at 9:30 am to 10:45 am on January 31 at the Benjamin Ward, 3278 W 7300 S, Spanish Fork, UT 84660. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM. Please send all condolences to Walker Funeral Home, Spanish Fork, Utah.