Gilbert Beranek

Gilbert R. Beranek, 84, of Lindon, Utah, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 22, 2022, with his loving wife Laurel, daughter Niki and her husband Paul, by his side. He was born August 9, 1938 in Louisville, Colorado, to Carl Beranek and Julia DiLorenzo Beranek. He married Laurel Wagner of Holly, Colorado, on January 18, 1958, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Holly, after meeting on a blind date the previous April. They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary next month.

Gil graduated from Louisville HS in Colorado and served as Valedictorian. He went to college at The Colorado School of Mines, in Golden, Colorado. While attending college, Gil  and Laurel had two children. Dean, born in 1959 and Vanessa in 1960. In 1961, he earned a B.S. degree in Metallurgical Engineering. After graduating, he and his small family moved to Orem, Utah, where he began his steelmaking career at Geneva Works, as a management trainee assigned to the Metallurgical, Chemical & Inspection Department. The next year, in 1962, Mitchell was born, followed by Niki, 10 and 1/2 months later. Around this same time, he advanced to the Rolling Mills Division, as turn foreman of the Slab Mill, and the next year, to turn foreman of the Plate and Strip Mill. His final promotion was to Superintendent of Plate, Shipping and Finishing. He was honored to be named, “Man of the Year”, in the early 70’s, and was a member of the Association of Iron and Steel Engineers. In 1994, at the young age of 55 and after dedicating 33 years to Geneva Steel, he retired.

Gil enjoyed hunting, camping, golfing, traveling, playing cards and Cribbage, but his greatest pastime, was his love for fishing, after his father taught him to fish, at the age of 6. He became an excellent fly fisherman and loved tying his own flies, so naturally, one of his favorite movies was, “A River Runs Through It”.

Gil and Laurel loved cruises and enjoyed several. They spent their 50th anniversary in Australia and New Zealand. He fell in the tub, so they both got to ride to the hospital in an Australian ambulance, for his minor injury. After retiring, he and Laurel became Snowbirds and spent many winters with close friends, at River Lodge Resort, in Parker Dam, California, where he golfed daily and sang in The River Lodge Band. He was well known for the craftsmanship of his beautiful birdhouses, that he proudly gave to family and friends.

At the age of 64, Gil and his friend, Ed Campbell safaried in Africa, where they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, the worlds highest, free-standing mountain. He enjoyed many other camping, hunting, and fishing trips with his good friends.

Gil dearly loved his wife, children, grandchildren and 3 little greats. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Uncle and friend.

Gil was a member of Saint Francis of Assisi, Catholic Church. In his younger years, he served as an Altar Boy, Usher & Lector. He was also a member of The Knights of Columbus.

Gil is survived by his wife, Laurel, of Lindon, Utah; his four children, Dean Beranek, Lindon, Utah, Vanessa (Joe) Ostler, Sultan, Wa., Mitchell (Heidi) Beranek, Cheyenne, Wy., and Niki (Paul) Guzman, of  Price, Utah; 3 grandchildren, Kemli Horrocks, Provo, Ut., Sam (Lourdes) Ostler, Everett, Wa., and Charley (Sara) Ostler, Sultan, Wa.; 3 great grandchildren, Alex, Avery and Bob.

Funeral Mass will be held Friday, December 30, 2022, at 12:00 pm, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 65 East 500 North Orem, UT. Officiated by The Revered Jaya Penugonda. Immediately after the Mass, Internment will take place at The Orem City Cemetery, 1520 North 800 East, Orem, Utah. Followed by a luncheon, back at the church. Cremation will be entrusted to Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary in Orem, Utah.

Condolence may be expressed to the family on this page.