Garn Alvin Tollestrup

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Garn Alvin Tollestrup, loving husband, father, and grandfather, died of natural causes at his new home in Helper, Utah on May 27, 2016 at the age of 82. He had recently returned to his roots in Castle Country from Salt Lake City to live with his daughter Linda and her family.
Garn was born on November 14, 1933 to Marinus and Elsie Ward Tollestrup, in Huntington, Utah. He was educated in the Salt Lake City and Davis County school systems, graduating from Davis High School in 1951. He was a proud Davis Dart all his life! Garn spent summers on his Uncle Ralph Lundy’s ranch in Cleveland, Utah relishing his time as a cowboy there with his grandma, brothers, sister, and cousins.
Garn served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Garn attended the University of Utah where he met and married the most beautiful girl in the world, Mary Ann Cannon, in December 1957. He graduated from the U with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and bled crimson red for the rest of his life.
Garn gained computer experience while stationed at the Presidio during his Army service and developed those skills into an illustrious career with Utah Oil, EIMCO, UNIVAC, the State of Utah and the Utah Department of Transportation as a systems analyst, strategic planner and computer program developer. He also used his people skills in sales and marketing where he won many top sales awards while at UNIVAC. Garn also had an entrepreneurial streak and founded several computer-related businesses throughout his life.
Garn faithfully served in many capacities as an Elder and High Priest for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spending almost 50 years as a member of the Monument Park Ninth Ward (Monument Park Stake). He will best be remembered for his touching and humorous anecdotes at the pulpit as a counselor in the bishopric.
Above all, Garn loved his family. He was so very proud of his wife, daughters, and grandchildren. He is survived by his two daughters, Sammie Tollestrup Vanderpool (Stephen) and Linda Tollestrup Hapsmith (Michael), five grandchildren, Alexandra Vanderpool, Anthony Hapsmith, Jamie Hapsmith, Marli Stevens, and Monica Hapsmith Pluto (Jan), cousin Khyva Watson Bowles (Clark), and beloved nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his dear wife Mary Ann, siblings Joan (Woolley), Bill, Paul and Mike, two baby sons and a baby grandson.
Funeral Services were held in Salt Lake City and interment took place at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.larkincares.com.