Birth: 12 October 1927
Death: 10 February 2016
Yesterday, my Grandpa Moldenhauer passed away. I miss him - it had been a tender time. He taught me a lot - more than I probably ever told him. I feel so grateful to have learned from him - usually by example. He lived a simple, hardworking, faithful life. He's always been one of my heroes. And I can't wait for the day when I can hug him again. I am grateful that he is free from pain and the trials of this world. And I am grateful for the many memories I have to remember for the rest of my life.
Some of my earliest memories of my Grandpa Moldenhauer are from our bike rides together. Every summer we would make the trek from Salem to Soda Springs to spend a few weeks with extended family. We would always stay with Grandpa and Grandma Moldenhauer and we would always bring our bikes. I remember so many rides out to Hooper Springs. I don't remember talking much but I remember I always felt important. That's how Grandpa always made me feel.
I also remember on one of these visits a special outing Grandpa took me on. He had asked me if I wanted to go on a bike ride with him and I realized he was packing some extra things! He told him it was time that I learn how to shoot. I have to admit - I was a little nervous. I was probably ten years old and had never even held a gun let alone shot one!
We rode our bikes to the bottom of a hill and there were some fence posts and I don't remember how they got there or if they were just there but he put up some cans. He then told me about the different parts of a gun and got me ready to take my first shot. It was just a hand gun and I couldn't tell you more than that but I remember standing there holding the gun out and so scared to pull the trigger! He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around me putting his hands over mine. He then helped my finger down as I pulled the trigger. I remember it being terrifying - the jolt and the sound! But it was an experience I will never forget.
I loved everything about our visits to Soda Springs. It was my favorite place in the world growing up. I loved "Grandpa's Breakfast" that he would make while we were there. I was always the first to get up - well, that is, except for Grandpa! I remember coming upstairs and he would always be preparing these elaborate breakfasts with eggs, toast, and bacon. They were the best!
Grandpa has always been someone that I admired so much. I remember when I was young (maybe eight or nine) I had to give a talk in Primary about a hero that I had. I picked my Grandpa Moldenhauer. I remember standing up there and showing the Primary a picture of my Grandpa when he climbed the Tetons. I have always admired him - and still do.
Some of my most cherished moments are when I got to live with Grandpa and Grandma for two summers in Bear Lake. When I decided to go and work up there for the summer it was decided that I would live with them at the family cabin on the lake. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for those memories of that time.
I remember waking up to the same smells and sounds of "Grandpa Breakfast" on my mornings off. I remember walking downstairs and seeing my Grandpa in his lazy boy with his socks pulled up high, shorts on, shirt and vest taking a nap. Although I think a lot of the time he just liked to lay there and relax and knew no one would bother him.
I loved the conversations we would have over long breakfasts or dinners. I wish I could remember more of what he actually said but I loved the stories he would tell. And I loved those rare moments when he would truly open up and talk about his thoughts and feelings.
You can't talk about Grandpa without mentioning Grandma. She was definitely the most dominant one in the relationship but I always felt and knew that Grandpa has his own quiet strength. He gave all that he had to Grandma and did whatever he could to make her happy. He was a devoted and kind husband.
I loved getting to see more or Grandpa's humor when I lived with him. He really is a witty man. Grandma doesn't have the best of hearing and used to frequently forget to put in her hearing aid. So sometimes Grandpa would whisper little jokes that only he and I could hear and we had a good time with that.
Grandpa used to leave me simple little notes on post-its and I loved them. I recently was looking through my old journals and found that I had kept several of them. I am so glad that I took the time to treasure those then so that I can continue to treasure them now.
I appreciate so much the opportunity I had to work with him in Bear Lake. Some of my fondest memories of my time up there were the early mornings - when it would just be Grandpa, Curtis, Brandon and me. Grandpa and Curtis would be putting out the fruit and I would be getting the office things set out for the day and we would talk. I loved this time. There is something about working along side someone that makes the bond between you even stronger. I am glad I was able to experience that with Grandpa even just for a few years.
Grandpa was incredibly hardworking. He never knew how to slow down. He would ride his bike for miles and miles every day. His body was strong. He took care of himself. Which only made it harder in his final years when he was no longer able to do those things that he loved.
My feelings of my Grandpa are so tender. He was kind and a good listener. He was sincere and devoted to his family. We, as his descendants, are in large part who we are because of the choices he made. He quietly but steadily paved a wonderful road for us.
It makes me sad to feel that I won't be able to sit and talk with him for a long time. I will miss that twinkle in his eye when he would make a joke. I hope that his reunion in heaven is a happy one. I hope that he feels how much he is missed. And I look forward to that day when I can hug him again and tell him how much I love him.
I miss you, Grandpa.
