Michael Sorensen "Mike" Berntsen
1940 - 2016
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Mike was born on March 5, 1940, in Moroni, Utah, the son of Ellen Sorensen Berntsen and John Russell Berntsen, the eldest of three boys. Always a trickster, Mike was constantly pulling pranks and getting into trouble. His mischievous ways were a cornerstone of his childhood, along with playing baseball, riding bikes, anything outdoors, fishing and trips to Yellowstone, all while growing up in Moroni, Utah; Pocatello and Boise, Idaho; and Orem and Provo, Utah. Mike graduated from Orem High School in 1958. He enjoyed school, studying, learning and teaching.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: Mike attended Brigham Young University for two years after graduation. His sophomore year at BYU, along with cohort, Paul Jacobsen, they rounded up five or six cats and dogs late at night and turned them loose in a girls dorm. Clearly his mischievous ways followed him to college! He continued his education at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, graduating in June 1971.
❦ A faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mike served in the North German Mission from 1960 to 1963, three years of profound influence in his life. This service solidified his deep love of the German people, the country, history, language, heritage and culture, along with sustaining his belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. He held many callings throughout his lifetime, including Scouting, teaching youth Sunday School, bishopric counselor, and his favorite as ward clerk. He was a strong priesthood leader, providing many blessings to his family and loved ones through his leadership and service.
❦ Upon returning home from his mission, Mike met Diane Beckstead in the fall of 1963; they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1964. At 26 years-old, Mike was drafted into the United States Army in March 1966. After Basic Training in Fort Bliss, Texas, he went on to Advance Infantry Training in Fort Ord, California, then to Officer Candidate Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. They moved to Bamberg, Germany, in 1967, where he was a 2nd Lieutenant Assistant to the 6th Battalion 10th Artillery, moving next to the 35th Artillery Group as S-1, then lastly, Public Affairs Officer in Nurnberg. His two oldest children were born in Nurnberg. His love of Germany and country came from his honorable military service. Mike attributes much of his success in life to, and was incredibly grateful for, his military service and the amazing opportunities and experiences it afforded them as a young couple to travel and explore Germany and Europe.
❦ He loved July 4th, parades, flying our country's flag, and patriotic music his entire life. Mike and Diane have seven children and twelve grandchildren together. Family was everything and Mike supported his family working as a pharmacist at Stone Drug in Provo. Mike bought the pharmacy from Glade Stone in 1979, and later, the building on 104 West Center Street, renaming it Provo Pharmacy. Mike built a successful business, implementing many lessons he learned from his pharmacist father. Customers were important, treated with respect and appreciation, and many became lifelong friends as a result of the pharmacy's "Fast, friendly, personalized service" mantra. This corner drugstore (and adjoining properties on Center street) provided invaluable experience for his entire brood, becoming a family business, where all the kids learned to work, have a fun job, and pitch in at the soda fountain, filling prescriptions. or delivering them to homes around Provo via the "Fast & Friendly" (Mike's 1968 Ford F100), or even sweeping sidewalks. His children have him to thank for their strong work ethic, memories of sidewalk sales, and their ability to count back change.
❦ Camping, boating, river rafting, horseback riding, hiking and visiting National Parks such as Zions, Canyonlands and Yellowstone, were foundational family activities. Mike loved camping in the fall. Getting the family together for one last camping trip to Yellowstone in July was one of his wishes, which brought him immense pride and happiness.
❦ After divorcing in 2005, Mike married Eileen Christensen on April 27, 2006. Together, they enjoyed traveling to California, South Dakota, Yellowstone, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe, camping, attending the Utah Shakespeare Festival, musical productions, and spending time with kids and grandkids. Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer on May 25, 2014, yet maintained a strong resolve to have a beautiful quality of life with his wife and family. His strength, memory, intelligence and stubbornness saw him through to the end, and was truly an inspiration. He fought a good fight. In his last days, weeks and months, his home became a revolving door for visits from friends, neighbors, relatives, and most importantly, his children and grandchildren. Like ants at a picnic, the kids came marching in. It brought him great joy to spend time with his children before passing, reminiscing about family camping trips, his beloved Yellowstone, collectively working at the pharmacy, 4th of July parades (and pants!), family snapshots on staircases and endless images of him sleeping just about anywhere, through just about anything. May he now rest in peace. Michael Sorensen "Mike" Berntsen, of Orem Utah, passed away August 24, 2016, at his home after courageously battling colon cancer. He was 76.
❦ Family Message: "Mike, aka Bernie, had a deep love and passion for family, work, education, travel, God and country. His entire life is a testament to these passions, for which he will always be remembered."
❦ Survived By: His loving wife, Eileen; children: Vicki Jones (Jeff), Kent Berntsen (Angie), Lori Berntsen, Ryan Berntsen (Heather), Janell Aslett (Shay), Camille Hendricks; his 12 grandchildren; and brother, James "Jim" Berntsen (Kristina).
❦ Preceded In Death By: His parents; brother, John Louis "Louie"; his wife, Diane; son, Andrew; and son-in-law, Mac Hendricks.
❦ Arrangements & Obituary: © 2016 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
❦ Location: Cherry Hill 9th Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
❦ Interment: Timpanogos Memorial Gardens
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
"If we weren't having fun, we weren't succeeding."
— Michael Sorensen Berntsen
1940 - 2016
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Mike was born on March 5, 1940, in Moroni, Utah, the son of Ellen Sorensen Berntsen and John Russell Berntsen, the eldest of three boys. Always a trickster, Mike was constantly pulling pranks and getting into trouble. His mischievous ways were a cornerstone of his childhood, along with playing baseball, riding bikes, anything outdoors, fishing and trips to Yellowstone, all while growing up in Moroni, Utah; Pocatello and Boise, Idaho; and Orem and Provo, Utah. Mike graduated from Orem High School in 1958. He enjoyed school, studying, learning and teaching.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: Mike attended Brigham Young University for two years after graduation. His sophomore year at BYU, along with cohort, Paul Jacobsen, they rounded up five or six cats and dogs late at night and turned them loose in a girls dorm. Clearly his mischievous ways followed him to college! He continued his education at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, graduating in June 1971.
❦ A faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mike served in the North German Mission from 1960 to 1963, three years of profound influence in his life. This service solidified his deep love of the German people, the country, history, language, heritage and culture, along with sustaining his belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. He held many callings throughout his lifetime, including Scouting, teaching youth Sunday School, bishopric counselor, and his favorite as ward clerk. He was a strong priesthood leader, providing many blessings to his family and loved ones through his leadership and service.
❦ Upon returning home from his mission, Mike met Diane Beckstead in the fall of 1963; they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1964. At 26 years-old, Mike was drafted into the United States Army in March 1966. After Basic Training in Fort Bliss, Texas, he went on to Advance Infantry Training in Fort Ord, California, then to Officer Candidate Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. They moved to Bamberg, Germany, in 1967, where he was a 2nd Lieutenant Assistant to the 6th Battalion 10th Artillery, moving next to the 35th Artillery Group as S-1, then lastly, Public Affairs Officer in Nurnberg. His two oldest children were born in Nurnberg. His love of Germany and country came from his honorable military service. Mike attributes much of his success in life to, and was incredibly grateful for, his military service and the amazing opportunities and experiences it afforded them as a young couple to travel and explore Germany and Europe.
❦ He loved July 4th, parades, flying our country's flag, and patriotic music his entire life. Mike and Diane have seven children and twelve grandchildren together. Family was everything and Mike supported his family working as a pharmacist at Stone Drug in Provo. Mike bought the pharmacy from Glade Stone in 1979, and later, the building on 104 West Center Street, renaming it Provo Pharmacy. Mike built a successful business, implementing many lessons he learned from his pharmacist father. Customers were important, treated with respect and appreciation, and many became lifelong friends as a result of the pharmacy's "Fast, friendly, personalized service" mantra. This corner drugstore (and adjoining properties on Center street) provided invaluable experience for his entire brood, becoming a family business, where all the kids learned to work, have a fun job, and pitch in at the soda fountain, filling prescriptions. or delivering them to homes around Provo via the "Fast & Friendly" (Mike's 1968 Ford F100), or even sweeping sidewalks. His children have him to thank for their strong work ethic, memories of sidewalk sales, and their ability to count back change.
❦ Camping, boating, river rafting, horseback riding, hiking and visiting National Parks such as Zions, Canyonlands and Yellowstone, were foundational family activities. Mike loved camping in the fall. Getting the family together for one last camping trip to Yellowstone in July was one of his wishes, which brought him immense pride and happiness.
❦ After divorcing in 2005, Mike married Eileen Christensen on April 27, 2006. Together, they enjoyed traveling to California, South Dakota, Yellowstone, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe, camping, attending the Utah Shakespeare Festival, musical productions, and spending time with kids and grandkids. Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer on May 25, 2014, yet maintained a strong resolve to have a beautiful quality of life with his wife and family. His strength, memory, intelligence and stubbornness saw him through to the end, and was truly an inspiration. He fought a good fight. In his last days, weeks and months, his home became a revolving door for visits from friends, neighbors, relatives, and most importantly, his children and grandchildren. Like ants at a picnic, the kids came marching in. It brought him great joy to spend time with his children before passing, reminiscing about family camping trips, his beloved Yellowstone, collectively working at the pharmacy, 4th of July parades (and pants!), family snapshots on staircases and endless images of him sleeping just about anywhere, through just about anything. May he now rest in peace. Michael Sorensen "Mike" Berntsen, of Orem Utah, passed away August 24, 2016, at his home after courageously battling colon cancer. He was 76.
❦ Family Message: "Mike, aka Bernie, had a deep love and passion for family, work, education, travel, God and country. His entire life is a testament to these passions, for which he will always be remembered."
❦ Survived By: His loving wife, Eileen; children: Vicki Jones (Jeff), Kent Berntsen (Angie), Lori Berntsen, Ryan Berntsen (Heather), Janell Aslett (Shay), Camille Hendricks; his 12 grandchildren; and brother, James "Jim" Berntsen (Kristina).
❦ Preceded In Death By: His parents; brother, John Louis "Louie"; his wife, Diane; son, Andrew; and son-in-law, Mac Hendricks.
❦ Arrangements & Obituary: © 2016 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
❦ Location: Cherry Hill 9th Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
❦ Interment: Timpanogos Memorial Gardens
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
"If we weren't having fun, we weren't succeeding."
— Michael Sorensen Berntsen
Michael Sorensen "Mike" Berntsen
1940 - 2016
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Mike was born on March 5, 1940, in Moroni, Utah, the son of Ellen Sorensen Berntsen and John Russell Berntsen, the eldest of three boys. Always a trickster, Mike was constantly pulling pranks and getting into trouble. His mischievous ways were a cornerstone of his childhood, along with playing baseball, riding bikes, anything outdoors, fishing and trips to Yellowstone, all while growing up in Moroni, Utah; Pocatello and Boise, Idaho; and Orem and Provo, Utah. Mike graduated from Orem High School in 1958. He enjoyed school, studying, learning and teaching.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: Mike attended Brigham Young University for two years after graduation. His sophomore year at BYU, along with cohort, Paul Jacobsen, they rounded up five or six cats and dogs late at night and turned them loose in a girls dorm. Clearly his mischievous ways followed him to college! He continued his education at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, graduating in June 1971.
❦ A faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mike served in the North German Mission from 1960 to 1963, three years of profound influence in his life. This service solidified his deep love of the German people, the country, history, language, heritage and culture, along with sustaining his belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. He held many callings throughout his lifetime, including Scouting, teaching youth Sunday School, bishopric counselor, and his favorite as ward clerk. He was a strong priesthood leader, providing many blessings to his family and loved ones through his leadership and service.
❦ Upon returning home from his mission, Mike met Diane Beckstead in the fall of 1963; they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1964. At 26 years-old, Mike was drafted into the United States Army in March 1966. After Basic Training in Fort Bliss, Texas, he went on to Advance Infantry Training in Fort Ord, California, then to Officer Candidate Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. They moved to Bamberg, Germany, in 1967, where he was a 2nd Lieutenant Assistant to the 6th Battalion 10th Artillery, moving next to the 35th Artillery Group as S-1, then lastly, Public Affairs Officer in Nurnberg. His two oldest children were born in Nurnberg. His love of Germany and country came from his honorable military service. Mike attributes much of his success in life to, and was incredibly grateful for, his military service and the amazing opportunities and experiences it afforded them as a young couple to travel and explore Germany and Europe.
❦ He loved July 4th, parades, flying our country's flag, and patriotic music his entire life. Mike and Diane have seven children and twelve grandchildren together. Family was everything and Mike supported his family working as a pharmacist at Stone Drug in Provo. Mike bought the pharmacy from Glade Stone in 1979, and later, the building on 104 West Center Street, renaming it Provo Pharmacy. Mike built a successful business, implementing many lessons he learned from his pharmacist father. Customers were important, treated with respect and appreciation, and many became lifelong friends as a result of the pharmacy's "Fast, friendly, personalized service" mantra. This corner drugstore (and adjoining properties on Center street) provided invaluable experience for his entire brood, becoming a family business, where all the kids learned to work, have a fun job, and pitch in at the soda fountain, filling prescriptions. or delivering them to homes around Provo via the "Fast & Friendly" (Mike's 1968 Ford F100), or even sweeping sidewalks. His children have him to thank for their strong work ethic, memories of sidewalk sales, and their ability to count back change.
❦ Camping, boating, river rafting, horseback riding, hiking and visiting National Parks such as Zions, Canyonlands and Yellowstone, were foundational family activities. Mike loved camping in the fall. Getting the family together for one last camping trip to Yellowstone in July was one of his wishes, which brought him immense pride and happiness.
❦ After divorcing in 2005, Mike married Eileen Christensen on April 27, 2006. Together, they enjoyed traveling to California, South Dakota, Yellowstone, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe, camping, attending the Utah Shakespeare Festival, musical productions, and spending time with kids and grandkids. Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer on May 25, 2014, yet maintained a strong resolve to have a beautiful quality of life with his wife and family. His strength, memory, intelligence and stubbornness saw him through to the end, and was truly an inspiration. He fought a good fight. In his last days, weeks and months, his home became a revolving door for visits from friends, neighbors, relatives, and most importantly, his children and grandchildren. Like ants at a picnic, the kids came marching in. It brought him great joy to spend time with his children before passing, reminiscing about family camping trips, his beloved Yellowstone, collectively working at the pharmacy, 4th of July parades (and pants!), family snapshots on staircases and endless images of him sleeping just about anywhere, through just about anything. May he now rest in peace. Michael Sorensen "Mike" Berntsen, of Orem Utah, passed away August 24, 2016, at his home after courageously battling colon cancer. He was 76.
❦ Family Message: "Mike, aka Bernie, had a deep love and passion for family, work, education, travel, God and country. His entire life is a testament to these passions, for which he will always be remembered."
❦ Survived By: His loving wife, Eileen; children: Vicki Jones (Jeff), Kent Berntsen (Angie), Lori Berntsen, Ryan Berntsen (Heather), Janell Aslett (Shay), Camille Hendricks; his 12 grandchildren; and brother, James "Jim" Berntsen (Kristina).
❦ Preceded In Death By: His parents; brother, John Louis "Louie"; his wife, Diane; son, Andrew; and son-in-law, Mac Hendricks.
❦ Arrangements & Obituary: © 2016 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
❦ Location: Cherry Hill 9th Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
❦ Interment: Timpanogos Memorial Gardens
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
"If we weren't having fun, we weren't succeeding."
— Michael Sorensen Berntsen
1940 - 2016
VETERAN
❦ Early Life: Mike was born on March 5, 1940, in Moroni, Utah, the son of Ellen Sorensen Berntsen and John Russell Berntsen, the eldest of three boys. Always a trickster, Mike was constantly pulling pranks and getting into trouble. His mischievous ways were a cornerstone of his childhood, along with playing baseball, riding bikes, anything outdoors, fishing and trips to Yellowstone, all while growing up in Moroni, Utah; Pocatello and Boise, Idaho; and Orem and Provo, Utah. Mike graduated from Orem High School in 1958. He enjoyed school, studying, learning and teaching.
❦ Life's Work | Service | Interests: Mike attended Brigham Young University for two years after graduation. His sophomore year at BYU, along with cohort, Paul Jacobsen, they rounded up five or six cats and dogs late at night and turned them loose in a girls dorm. Clearly his mischievous ways followed him to college! He continued his education at the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, graduating in June 1971.
❦ A faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mike served in the North German Mission from 1960 to 1963, three years of profound influence in his life. This service solidified his deep love of the German people, the country, history, language, heritage and culture, along with sustaining his belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ. He held many callings throughout his lifetime, including Scouting, teaching youth Sunday School, bishopric counselor, and his favorite as ward clerk. He was a strong priesthood leader, providing many blessings to his family and loved ones through his leadership and service.
❦ Upon returning home from his mission, Mike met Diane Beckstead in the fall of 1963; they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on December 18, 1964. At 26 years-old, Mike was drafted into the United States Army in March 1966. After Basic Training in Fort Bliss, Texas, he went on to Advance Infantry Training in Fort Ord, California, then to Officer Candidate Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. They moved to Bamberg, Germany, in 1967, where he was a 2nd Lieutenant Assistant to the 6th Battalion 10th Artillery, moving next to the 35th Artillery Group as S-1, then lastly, Public Affairs Officer in Nurnberg. His two oldest children were born in Nurnberg. His love of Germany and country came from his honorable military service. Mike attributes much of his success in life to, and was incredibly grateful for, his military service and the amazing opportunities and experiences it afforded them as a young couple to travel and explore Germany and Europe.
❦ He loved July 4th, parades, flying our country's flag, and patriotic music his entire life. Mike and Diane have seven children and twelve grandchildren together. Family was everything and Mike supported his family working as a pharmacist at Stone Drug in Provo. Mike bought the pharmacy from Glade Stone in 1979, and later, the building on 104 West Center Street, renaming it Provo Pharmacy. Mike built a successful business, implementing many lessons he learned from his pharmacist father. Customers were important, treated with respect and appreciation, and many became lifelong friends as a result of the pharmacy's "Fast, friendly, personalized service" mantra. This corner drugstore (and adjoining properties on Center street) provided invaluable experience for his entire brood, becoming a family business, where all the kids learned to work, have a fun job, and pitch in at the soda fountain, filling prescriptions. or delivering them to homes around Provo via the "Fast & Friendly" (Mike's 1968 Ford F100), or even sweeping sidewalks. His children have him to thank for their strong work ethic, memories of sidewalk sales, and their ability to count back change.
❦ Camping, boating, river rafting, horseback riding, hiking and visiting National Parks such as Zions, Canyonlands and Yellowstone, were foundational family activities. Mike loved camping in the fall. Getting the family together for one last camping trip to Yellowstone in July was one of his wishes, which brought him immense pride and happiness.
❦ After divorcing in 2005, Mike married Eileen Christensen on April 27, 2006. Together, they enjoyed traveling to California, South Dakota, Yellowstone, Hawaii, Mexico and Europe, camping, attending the Utah Shakespeare Festival, musical productions, and spending time with kids and grandkids. Mike was diagnosed with colon cancer on May 25, 2014, yet maintained a strong resolve to have a beautiful quality of life with his wife and family. His strength, memory, intelligence and stubbornness saw him through to the end, and was truly an inspiration. He fought a good fight. In his last days, weeks and months, his home became a revolving door for visits from friends, neighbors, relatives, and most importantly, his children and grandchildren. Like ants at a picnic, the kids came marching in. It brought him great joy to spend time with his children before passing, reminiscing about family camping trips, his beloved Yellowstone, collectively working at the pharmacy, 4th of July parades (and pants!), family snapshots on staircases and endless images of him sleeping just about anywhere, through just about anything. May he now rest in peace. Michael Sorensen "Mike" Berntsen, of Orem Utah, passed away August 24, 2016, at his home after courageously battling colon cancer. He was 76.
❦ Family Message: "Mike, aka Bernie, had a deep love and passion for family, work, education, travel, God and country. His entire life is a testament to these passions, for which he will always be remembered."
❦ Survived By: His loving wife, Eileen; children: Vicki Jones (Jeff), Kent Berntsen (Angie), Lori Berntsen, Ryan Berntsen (Heather), Janell Aslett (Shay), Camille Hendricks; his 12 grandchildren; and brother, James "Jim" Berntsen (Kristina).
❦ Preceded In Death By: His parents; brother, John Louis "Louie"; his wife, Diane; son, Andrew; and son-in-law, Mac Hendricks.
❦ Arrangements & Obituary: © 2016 | Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary
❦ Services: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
❦ Location: Cherry Hill 9th Ward Chapel | Orem, Utah
❦ Interment: Timpanogos Memorial Gardens
Bio compiled by: Annie Duckett Hundley
"If we weren't having fun, we weren't succeeding."
— Michael Sorensen Berntsen
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