Ernest Korgenski

Ernest Wendell “Bud” Korgenski was born on May 12, 1924 to Ernest Herman and Alice Batley Korgenski in Salt Lake City, Utah. Bud passed away on October 23, 2014 after living a full and healthy life. He married Jeanne Cowley on August 27, 1948. Bud and Jeanne gave life to two sons, Kent and Ted, and one daughter, Kathy. Both Bud and Jeanne dedicated their life and time to their family and friends. This commitment has left all who knew them with many personal stories and unique memories of time spent together.

Bud graduated from South High, joined the Army, and was sent overseas to fight in World War II. He fought with General Mark Clark’s US Fifth Army artillery battalion during the invasion of Italy. He was stationed on the front lines throughout the Allied advance to Northern Italy. Although he would rarely talk about his experiences, I believe it led to his prioritization and commitment of time to family and friends throughout the remainder of his life. No matter what the family did, he gave his full support and became totally involved.

At a young age Bud showed an entrepreneurial spirit. He built and sold door to door, doll furniture during the Christmas season that he handcrafted from crates to earn extra money. The business did so well that he often had to rely on his father and mother’s help to get the orders done on time. After the war, he graduated from Westminster College with a business degree but found that he would rather work for himself rather than someone else. Bud partnered with Wally Meadows to form Meadows and Korgenski Masonry, doing the brickwork on many homes, commercial buildings and churches throughout the Salt Lake valley. After Wally retired, Bud partnered with his son Ted and continued the brickwork business as Korgenski Masonry for another 10 years. After retiring from masonry, Bud and his other son Kent started Korgenski Woodworks in 1983, selling their handcrafted hardwood products at craft fairs throughout the Western United States. In 2004, Bud and family built a brick and mortar retail store at his beloved Bear Lake, Bear Country Trading Post. Although many might consider the Woodworks and store a financial disappointment, the time spent planning, designing and implementing was far more valuable and priceless than any money that was not returned.

Bud had an amazing ability to enjoy all that he did, whether it be at work or play. Although he worked hard (as described above) he played even harder. With a young family, mom and dad bought a camper and started going to locations throughout Utah and surrounding states every weekend. Soon after, the “weekend warriors” were joined by the families of aunts and uncles, Cowley grandparents, and other close family friends. The caravans would start in early spring and end in late fall and open to any that wanted to join. It didn’t seem to matter where we were headed or what we were doing, the experiences and memories are unforgettable. Activities included boating, riding motorcycles, fishing, hiking and touring and we headed for places where we had not been. Only later in life did I realize how difficult this must have been and how committed they were to do this week in, week out. However, I did learn early in life that there was much more fun being with the family than being anywhere else.

Dad, you were loved by many and will be missed by all. Thank you for such a full life, commitment to family, and unending memories that cannot be told in a simple obituary. You will not be forgotten and will be sorely missed.

- Written by your grateful and thankful son, Kent