John Charles Lodefink

John C. Lodefink passed away in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, October 9, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Madlyn Lodefink, his brothers Stephen Lodefink, David Lodefink, and Robert Lodefink. He is survived by his sister Margaret Piplar, his brother James Lodefink, nieces Mary Hardy and Melinda Hudson, and his nephews, Stephen Lodefink, Louis Lodefink, Justin Joos, and Andrew Joos.
John was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has lived in Stratford Ward for most of his life. He was a Temple worker for many years. For a time, he lived in Magna, Utah, and he served in the Bishopric in his Magna ward. He played on the Stratford Ward softball team as a youth. This was before he formed his own softball and basketball teams. John really loved all sports but was especially gifted in track, in which he broke records for both high school and his college teams. This passion has led him to his goal of climbing all the highest peaks he could. He has surmounted Mt. Whitney, Kings Peak, Mt. Borah, and Wheeler Peak as well as going on weekly hikes throughout the Wasatch and the Uintas.
John would say his most meaningful achievement was his trek along the original trail that the Mormon pioneers took to this great valley; it was a 1300-mile journey across inhospitable terrain. He did this while pulling a hand cart in honor of his ancestor who was part of one of the original handcart treks. In the years immediately following the original trek, he used his own handcart to walk across Iowa and in Utah where he received donations for his charities. His charity didn’t stop there. He donated his time to Hogle Zoo as a docent as well as his donations of blood to those in need.
John was truly a caring man. He would always step in and help a family member in need. He always tried to understand the person as a person, regardless of why they were in need and truly understand them. He was and is an inspiration of what a person can be. He followed all the teachings and taught more through actions than words.
John will live on in our hearts as an example of what a person can be and how to inspire everyone around us to be a warm and welcoming human, and his mentality is something we can all aspire to and will enrich all of our lives.
Our family would like to add a special thanks to John’s incredible hospice care team from Tender Care and Beehive Senior Care including his nurses Debbie and Hali, his social worker Tonya, and his aide of 8 extremely helpful years, Tammy. We are eternally grateful. You loved one of the greatest people anyone can hope to know.
John, we love you more than you could know but still less than your heart could love us.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 16, 2021, 11:00 AM at the Stratford Ward, 2635 South 1500 East, Salt Lake City, UT.  A viewing will be held beginning at 10:00 AM at the same location. Interment at Memorial Holladay Cemetery.
Service Information
Viewing October 16, 2021 at 10:00-10:45 AM
2635 South 1500 East, Salt Lake City, Utah





Funeral Service
October 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM
2635 South 1500 East, Salt Lake City, Utah