Austin Wahlquist

Charles Austin Wahlquist

August 26, 1927 ~ October 13, 2015

Charles Austin Wahlquist, age 88, born on August 26, 1927 to LeRoy and Maude Pack Wahlquist in Roosevelt, Utah, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2015, at his home in South Ogden. Austin grew up in Ogden, where he graduated from Ogden High School in absentia, as he was drafted after his 18th birthday, and right at the end of World War II.  After being discharged by the Army, he used the G.I. bill to attend and graduate from Weber College and Brigham Young University.

Austin was a teacher all his life. He retired after 33 years with Ogden City Schools where he taught Spanish and History and also was a school librarian. Before and after his teaching career, he worked in construction, as a beekeeper, for the IRS, and as a personnel manager for Del Monte.

Austin served three Spanish-speaking missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first in Uruguay, then in the Ogden Regional Mission, where he met his lifelong love, Marie Brown.  They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on June 10, 1959 and truly shared a love that was a light and example to all that knew them. Together, they served in the Texas McAllen Mission. He also served the Church in many other callings, including that of counselor to Bishops Wilden Moffett and Richard Carter.

Austin cared for his fellowmen and truly loved all people. His compassion and concern for the well-being of those around him will always be the trait for which he is best remembered. After the death of Reverend Martin Luther King, he joined the local NAACP to show his support and solidarity with black Americans in their quest for the equality promised in the Constitution of the United States. He loved and was loved by all he knew.

Austin is survived by his wife, Marie; two daughters, Jana (Mike) Cosby of Las Vegas, Nevada and Sharon Kelso of Clearfield, Utah; two sons, Scot (Katie) Wahlquist of South Ogden, Utah and Dana Wahlquist of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Kyle Cosby, Shara and Ryan Fitzgerald, Brandt Cosby, Justin and Alyssa Kelso, Alyssa Kelso, Lexi Kelso, Megan Wahlquist, Adam Wahlquist, and Annie; great-grandchildren, Carlos Cruz-Cosby, Kailyn Cosby, McKenzie Fitzgerald, Rylie Fitzgerald, Kaylie Fitzgerald, Avery Woods, and Jade Kelso (on the way). He is also survived by one brother, Reed Wahlquist of Salt Lake City, Utah; one sister, Ann (Jimmie) Stoker of Basin City, Washington, and one sister-in-law, Maurene Wahlquist of South Jordan, Utah.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Mark.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, the family recommends that donations be made to the Humanitarian Fund of the LDS church or to a humanitarian charity of your choice.