Sweeten_Colen H._11 Jan 1919

Colen H. Sweeten

Colen H. Sweeten, 88, husband of Ruth Gerber Sweeten, passed away on August 15, 2007 in Springville, Utah. He was born January 11, 1919 in Lewisville, Idaho, a son of Colen H. and Mary Ann Casper Sweeten of Holbrook, Idaho. He attended school in Holbrook and Malad, and was a graduate of Malad High School, class of 1938.

From 1940-42, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to southern California. There he met his future wife, Ruth Gerber, who was also serving a mission there at the time.

They were married in the Salt lake LDS Temple on June 29, 1944, while Colen was on furlough from the U.S. Army. At the time, Colen was assigned as a radar detector in southern California during WWII.

Colen spent his early years farming in the Holbrook Valley and was also the Oneida County Clerk, Auditor and Recorder from 1957-1978. Colen and Ruth raised their family in Malad and then lived for nine years in Boise, where they were employed and retired. They moved to Springville, Utah in 2000, to be closer to family.

Colen was a member of the L.D.S. Church, and served in various positions through the years, including Bishop of the Malad 4th Ward. He was a noted speaker and historian, but the role closest to his heart, was that of a Cowboy poet. He was a member of the Cowboy Poets of Idaho and Utah, and had published five books of poetry. He received many awards for his work including the Idaho “Governor’s Millennial Award for Excellence in the Arts”, in the year 2000; the Idaho State Historical Society’s 2005 “Esto Perpetua Award” for outstanding accomplishments in preserving Idaho’s heritage; the American West Heritage Foundation’s 2004 “Pioneer Skill Preservation Award”; the Cowboy Poets of Utah 2006 “Pioneer Heritage Award” and has been nominated for the National Commission on the Arts “Award for Excellence in Literature”.

Colen is survived by his wife; Ruth Gerber Sweeten, and their four children: Susan (Bill) Erickson of Pleasant Grove, Utah; Eileen Hess of Springville, Utah; Christine (Bryce) Goodwin of Orem, Utah; Colen H. III (Cindy) Sweeten also of Springville; one sister: Fay (Steve) Cottle of Malad; three brothers: Elbert (Joyce) Sweeten of Malad; Cecil (Gloria) Sweeten of Malad; Garth (Diane) Sweeten of Logan, Utah; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Owen, Lloyd and George; three sisters: Mary, Nellie Christophersen and Florence Hubbard. He was also preceded by his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter: Jan, Charles, and Jennifer Isom.

Funeral services were held Tuesday August 21, 2007 at 12 noon in the Malad LDS Stake Chapel with a viewing held prior to services. They also had a viewing on Sunday evening August 19, at the Springville LDS 6th Ward Chapel. Burial was in the Malad City Cemetery, with Military Rites performed by the American Legion Ernest W. Jones post #65.

COLEN HAGLE SWEETEN JR.

Funeral Program

In Loving Memory
Colen Hagle Sweeten Jr. – 88
Born: January 11, 1919 – Lewisville, Idaho
Died: August 15, 2007 – Springville, Utah

FUNERAL SERVICE
August 21, 2007 – 12:00 noon
Malad LDS Stake Chapel
Officiating – Bishop Larry Thomas

CASKET BEARERS
Dean Kelshaw
David Erickson
Michael Erickson
Blake Isom
Daniel Isom
Brian Henrie
C.J. Sweeten
Criag Whatcott

HORNORY BEARERS
Cecil Sweeten
Elbert Sweeten
Garth Sweeten
Shane Isom
Carson Kelshaw
Keenan Kelshaw
Jordan Erickson
Jake Erickson
Coleman Adamson
Michael Isom
Bryce Goodwin
William Erickson
Bob Muench

SERVICE
Family Prayer – Bryce E. Goodwin, son-in-law
Prelude & Postlude – Trudy Ward
Congregational Hymn #134 – “I Believe in Christ”
Invocation – Cristal Kelshaw, granddaughter
Life Sketch – Christine Goodwin, daughter
Tribute – Susan Erickson, daughter
Poetry – Eileen Hess, daughter
Speaker – Colen H. Sweeten III, son
Speaker – Garth Sweeten, brother
Musical Selection – “Softly As I Leave You” – By Pennie Wolf
Remarks – Bishop Larry Thomas
Congregational Hymn #86 – “How Great Thou Art”
Benediction – Sonya Hess, granddaughter

FLORAL TRIBUTE
Cristal Kelshaw
Tasha Kelshaw
Tally Kelshaw
Mindy Isom
Amber Whatcott
Aubrey Sweeten
Cathie Erickson
Caitlyn Erickson
Caroline Erickson
Sonya Hess
Nicole Sweeten
Kayla Sweeten
Carrie Erickson
Teresa Henrie
Sabrina Henrie
Jodi Goodwin
Taylor Sweeten

Compassionate service by the Ward Relief Societies

Concluding Service – Malad Cemetery
Dedicatory Prayer – William C. Erickson, son-in-law
Military Rites – American Legion Ernest W. Jones Post #65

Let my heart be filled with kindness,
Let my big hands be ever gentle,
Let my friendship be without guile,
And may my conversation be uplifting
To all I meet
As I walk this mortal mile

By Colen H. Sweeten Jr.

HORSLEY FUNERAL HOMES
Spence & Debbie Horsley
Malad — Marsh Valley