Louis Matthias Von Breithaupt Obituary (1920 - 2008)

Louis Matthias Von Breithaupt, of Cave Junction, Oregon, was born Oct. 5, 1920, in Traverse City, Michigan, to Matthias and Lelah Barr Breithaupt. Died Dec. 21, 2008 at the VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is preceded in death by parents; sister, Mary Breithaupt, and twin sister, Lelah Shalda; wife, Mabel Heartley Breithaupt; and great-grandson, Gabriel Pettit. Survived by his wife, Cathleen Walker Von Breithaupt; sons, Lee Griffith, Matt and David Breithaupt; daughters Barbara Snyder and Christine Pettit; 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Louis lived a full and varied life, traveling the country by railcars in his younger days. He served in World War II in the United States Infantry, taking part in the Invasion of Normandy, June 6, 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received during battle action in Germany. He later joined the Air Force, and then the Navy, and recently retired as Vice-Commander in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, stationed in Brookings, Oregon. He was an artist, welder, genealogist, logger, truck driver, and blacksmith. He loved to fish the rivers and coastline of Oregon and Washington, paint, go camping, and ride his brand-new motorcycle. He made everyone he met a friend, and helped many people in any way he could when he saw or knew of a need. He loved to tell stories of his childhood and past experiences, and mentioned his war buddies often. He was proud to be among the last survivors of WWII. He was baptized into the LDS Church in 1953 and served faithfully in many callings, most recently leading the music in Priesthood Meeting. He spent 9 years serving as a temple worker in the Seattle Temple. He came to Utah at this special season to spend Christmas with his great-grandchildren and their parents. A viewing will be held Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, 10:30-11:45, with funeral services to follow at 12:00 noon at the West Jordan Prairie 8th Ward, 7337 S. Grizzly Way (5150 West). Interment will follow at Utah Veterans Memorial Park Cemetery at Camp Williams, Bluffdale, Utah.