Benny Rex Albrechtsen

With the love of his life, Nancy, holding his hand and surrounded by his loving family, Ben (Benny Rex) passed through the veil into heaven Wednesday evening November 12, 2025 at Ogden Regional Medical Center. He was born at home in an adobe house on December 11, 1938 in Moore, Emery, Utah to his wonderful parents Rufus Casper Albrechtsen and Alice Holt Albrechtsen.

He lived his growing up years in Moore, Utah. His family did not have indoor plumbing until he was 10 years old. They had an outhouse with the traditional "moon" door. Ben received his first horse at the age of 7. He loved to take care of and ride his horses the rest of his life. At a very young age, he learned to shoot with precision. From the front door, he could actually shoot a BB pellet off of his front porch with his BB gun. His love of shooting continued throughout his life. He loved to take his family hunting and fishing and camping, creating memorable moments with his kids and grandkids. When he was about 8 years old, he became involved with Future Farmers of America where he learned how to care for and show his cows. At the age of 9, he developed rheumatic fever and was hospitalized. Consequently, he was unable to show his calf, so his older brother Udell showed it for him. His calf won Grand Champion that year. Throughout his school years, he continued to be involved with the FFA, he was able to receive many blue ribbons as well as Reserved and Grand Champion ribbons. Because of the rheumatic fever, his doctor had him stay in bed for one full year. His dad always played checkers with him during this time; as a result, he hated playing board games for the rest of his life.

As a young boy in Moore, Utah, he became very involved with his dad taking care of the family farm, planting and harvesting the crops and taking care of the animals and daily farm life. He attended elementary, junior high and high school in Ferron, Utah. Every day he rode the bus to school. During his later school years, he milked his family Holsteins before and after school every day. His family had a Grade A dairy and each day one of his brothers drove the milk to Highland Dairy in Salt Lake City. While attending South Emery High School, he played basketball and baseball. He was honored to be chosen as Homecoming King his Junior year, as well as Mr. South Emery his Senior year.

Not only did he have a love of farming, animals and the outdoors, Ben had a love of music. He had a beautiful voice and loved playing his guitar and the harmonica and listening to others share their musical talents. He and one of his friends were often called on to perform at school, church, and within Emery County.

During his senior year in high school, he was selected as the state FFA Sentinel. He then had the opportunity to go to Kansas City and represent the state of Utah that year. He graduated from South Emery High School with his 58 classmates in 1957. He received a scholarship to the University of Utah but did not have a good experience when he first attended. He said there were too many people and he felt like he was just a number there. He wanted to quit college, but his brother Udell convinced him to transfer his schooling to Utah State University where he could pursue a career involving animals or land. He graduated from Utah State with his Bachelor's in Forestry in 1961.

In 1961, Ben was drafted into the United States Army. While most of his friends were sent to Vietnam, he was stationed in Germany. He was trained in the U.S Army Artillery Survey and Missile School at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. Having saved a good amount of money from showing his cows, he was able to travel to 17 countries in Europe without having to wait for his army paycheck. While in the Army, he loved having the honor of putting up the flag each day and taking down the flag each night. Because of his knowledge of driving trucks on the farm, he was chosen to drive his Commander everywhere, earning him a place in the front seat and getting to see the beautiful scenery throughout Germany. In 1963, he was promoted to Sergeant and asked to pursue a career in the Army. However, his love for Forestry brought him home instead.

He became active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints just two months before he was discharged from the Army. An LDS friend of his invited him to attend the local church branch. He only accepted the offer because he knew the Officer's wives had a fabulous lunch after the service. The second time he attended, the Branch President asked him if he would become the adult Sunday School teacher to which he hesitantly accepted. The Branch President gave him the church manual; the subject at that time was Isaiah in the Old Testament. He said he could not even spell the name Isaiah, but he taught the class anyway.

After he was honorably discharged from the Army, he was sent to work in Bridgeport, California for the U.S. Forest Service. He was the District Ranger of 5 districts. Later in his career he became The Regional Land and Reclamation Specialist. He wrote the R-4 Reclamation Field Guide which was published and is still being used today. Because of his knowledge in land reclamation, he was able to work in Venezuela to help reclaim and rehabilitate their mining land.

He eventually started attending the LDS institute of religion at the University of Nevada in Reno. One day while sitting in the back of the Sunday school class, he noticed twin girls sitting in the front row. As the roll came to him, he figured out that the name of one of the twins was Nancy Silbaugh. He asked a friend if she knew who Nancy was and if he could get her phone number. Subsequently, they had their first date on Memorial Day weekend in 1964. Ben and Nancy became engaged in Lake Tahoe, California in September of 1964 and were sealed forever in the Salt Lake Temple on January 26, 1965.

After Ben and Nancy were married, they lived in Nevada, Idaho, and finally settled down in North Ogden, Utah to finish raising their family. After retirement, they decided to serve an LDS mission. They were called to the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission where they were assigned to labor on the small island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands from 2003-2004. Ben loved being a missionary, Bishop, and Branch President on their mission.

Ben and Nancy have six AMAZING children who are always there whenever their parents need them. Dr. Lance (Laurie) Albrechtsen, Frank (Cali) Kellywood, Eric (Tricia) Albrechtsen, Heidi (Dr. Jared) Dinehart, Kristin (Chris) Hadley and Dr. Jon (Alyssa) Albrechtsen. They have 25 incredible grandchildren and 15 awesome great-grandchildren:

Oakley (Cameron), Lucy, Nora, Maxwell; Matthew (Dakota), Mila, Ledger; Lindsay; Brooke (Jackson), Harper, Hudson; Kellie (Jaxon); Malan; Lamar, Davis, Dax, Belle, Cruz; Emily (Ethan), Mia, Carson, Garrett; Lauren (Dallin), Evelyn; Dillon (Kenzie), Lillian; Rebecca; Kylie (Ty), Evan; Nathan, Lochlan; Joseph; Ashlyn (Brock), Collins; Blake (Aspen); Spencer, Jetzen; Avery (Dylan); Hunter, Chloe.

Ben has an EXTRAORDINARY family and extended family. He was preceded in death by his loving parents and siblings: Afton, Mary, Dora Lee and Udell. Ben was the youngest of the family and is undoubtedly having a great reunion on the other side.

"WATCH FOR DEER!"

Viewing:
Thursday, November 20, 2025, 10:30am-11:30am, Meeting house of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 770 East 2100 North, North Ogden, UT 84414.

Memorial Service:
Thursday, November 20, 2025, 12:00pm-1:00pm, Meeting house of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 770 East 2100 North, North Ogden, UT 84414

Internment:
Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden, Utah with military honors provided by the local VFW.

In Lieu of flowers, please donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Humanitarian Fund or make a donation to the Light the World Giving Machine.