Herbert Uhlstein

Karl Herbert Uhlstein passed away at the age of 89 in his Bountiful, UT home on Friday, March 15, 2024.

He was born on May 22, 1934 in Herne, Westphalia, Germany to Sara Gaertner and Heinrich Herbert Uhlstein.

Herbert was called to serve a mission in his home country of Germany for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at age 19. At that time the official mission age was 21. When he met with his Mission President, Edwin Q. Cannon, Herbert was told they needed missionaries badly in Hamburg and Saarbrucken. After some hesitation President Cannon said I feel strongly inspired to send you to Heidelberg instead so that is what I am going to do. The day after getting off the train in Heidelberg, his companion introduced him to the sister missionaries whom they would be serving with. That’s when he met the beautiful and intelligent Sister Gisela Kelm. Within a couple of weeks, he was smitten and told his companion, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.” His companion responded by saying, “Get in line.” During the next few months, the two companionships served together. He and Sister Kelm teamed up and taught groups of university students the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were both very musical, and were able to spend quality time rehearsing together. Without expressing it openly they fell in love. The happy realization that they both felt the same came during letters they sent each other after Herbert was reassigned to a new location.  After their missions ended, Herbert immigrated to the United States and married Gisela Kelm on September 16, 1955 in the Salt Lake City, UT temple.

Herbert had a well-deserved sense of achievement in being a self-made man, as he worked hard his entire life to support his family. He worked at The Pickle Company and Glades Candy Company for many years. He then became self-employed as a wholesaler before starting his business, The Clock Shop, in Sugarhouse, which later moved to Trolley Square. After watching a group of women fawn over music boxes, he had his brilliant business idea. He opened The Music Box store at Crossroads Mall in downtown Salt Lake City and it took off. His decerning eye for quality, good humor and love of people were all put to good use in his store which won “Most Beautiful Store” in the mall for 5 consecutive years. He worked in his music box store until he retired.

One of Herbert’s greatest joys was music. His stepfather discovered and helped to cultivate his musical talents when he was a teenager. He was often in choirs, and would sing duets and solos. Herbert played the drums for the Horst Fidel German Band (the original Snowbird Oktoberfest band). He then started his own band, “Herb Uhlstein and The Salt Lakers,” in which he was the lead singer and played the drums. They performed all over the valley in venues like The Cottonwood Club, The Ladies Literary Club, Snowbird, and Stake and Ward dances. He was particularly pleased when he was able to book The University of Utah Homing Dance.

Herbert was a very active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, holding just about every calling at various times in his life. But his favorite callings were as music leader and choir director. Of the 5 wards he attended during his adult life, he was the music leader in all 5 and choir director in 4.

Herbert loved the ocean and traveling. He and his wife, Gisela, would take road trips twice a year, in the spring and fall to their favorite spot being Highway 1 along the California coast. They took great pleasure in taking their time, exploring all the small towns and bakeries they found along the way. When he was no longer able to physically travel, he spent many hours on his computer riding trains and sightseeing all over the world.

Herbert was a master storyteller. He found great joy in recounting tales about Gisela which celebrated their enduring partnership and the beauty of their shared life. Friends, family, and ward family all know so well the stories of his life in Germany, World War II, his mission, and coming to America.

As we bid farewell to Herbert we carry with us the warmth of his love, the richness of his stories, and the enduring legacy of a man who treasured his family.

Herbert is survived by his sons, Daniel (Robyn) and David (Manami); 4 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Herbert is preceded in death by his parents, Gisela his wife of 65 years, and his son Hyrum.

 Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Memorial Redwood Mortuary located at 6500 South Redwood Road in West Jordan, Utah. There will be a Viewing at this location beginning at 1:00 PM with the Funeral scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM.