Earl Ternieden

It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Earl Ternieden on Sunday, March 30 2025 in his 95th year due to complications from a recent stroke. Earl died peacefully at the Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facility in Orem Utah, not far from his home in Heber City, Utah. He was predeceased by his first wife Daisy Ternieden (nee Jackson), his second wife Nona Ternieden (nee Barborka) and his stepson Ethan Barborka. Earl leaves behind three children - Richard (Sandee), Beverly and Cameron, one stepson Drake Barborka (Marnie), 5 grandchildren (Isaac, Dustin, Austin, John and David), 3 step grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and 5 step great grandchildren.

Earl was born of German and Swedish descent on December 13, 1930 in the midst of the great depression in Calgary Alberta, the second of two children of Wilhelm Richard Ernst Ternieden and Anna Josefina Emilia Sandahl. Despite his humble beginnings, thanks to the industrious nature of both his parents, Earl inherited a very strong work ethic, an immense sense of responsibility and optimistic attitude that underscored his professional success throughout his life. Earl had a relatively normal happy childhood and completed his primary, middle school and high school education in Calgary. His first employment after high school was working for the Department of Public Works in Banff Alberta doing odd jobs like busboy, garbage collector and ditch digger. This experience motivated him to look for office employment and he was subsequently hired by Canadian Oil Companies Ltd. to work as a clerk in the mail room and then eventually as a clerk in the credit department. Shortly after that he took a job in the accounting department of Weston Bakeries as a payroll accountant.

He married Daisy in October 1952 and they had their three children before Weston Bakeries transferred him to Kitchener Ontario in 1958 and helped him buy his first house. Dad’s intelligence and gift for planning and admin led him through progressive promotions with increased responsibilities at various companies which resulted in many family moves over the next four decades. In the early to mid 70s, while working fulltime, he managed to complete the Registered Industrial Accounting program (which eventually became the Certified Management Accounting designation). Dad’s professional career success moved him from Kitchener to Waterloo to Vancouver to Toronto to Orillia to Georgetown to Brussels, Belgium and then eventually to Chicago (by way of short stints in Dallas and Cleveland) where he finished his career in a senior financial executive position with Dresser Komatsu.

After Earl and Daisy separated in 1978, he met and married Nona in 1981. They were happily married living in Northbrook, Illinois until Nona passed away in 2012. In 2017 at the age of 87, Earl sold the house he and Nona had shared for more than 36 years, and moved to Midway, Utah where he lived and enjoyed his independence until it was necessary for him to move into in an assisted living facility just down the road in Heber City.

With no real religious foundation to speak of, Dad and our family decided to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1963. Since that time, Earl has been a devout member of the Church and served in many different callings and had many ecclesiastical responsibilities. His favorite assignment of all was teaching the Adult Sunday School class for over 10 years in Chicago. He was a student of the scriptures and really enjoyed imparting his knowledge and testimony to those who would listen.

Earl’s pastimes included Church podcasts, watching BYU basketball and football games and of course, following his much-loved Chicago Cubs, Bears and Bulls! Earl also loved to golf and did so up until he was into his mid 80s. He also had a passion for journal keeping. In 1978 he wrote his personal biography up to that point in his life and then kept a daily journal up until the last few months.

We will miss his sharp wit and incredible sense of humor. We will miss his Christ-like example of integrity, honesty and devotion. Rest in peace dad. Enjoy your heavenly reunion with those family members and friends who have gone on before you. Till we meet again.