Michael James Besendorfer, a quiet and humble young man, was born June 15, 1991 in Nephi, Utah. He is the youngest child of James and Lila Besendorfer and chose to be delivered by his father after the obstetrician was called away for an emergency. He grew up in Nephi and graduated from Juab High School in 2010.
He was active in scouting and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Utah Valley University and qualified for his associate’s degree. He worked for the Nephi City Parks Department and later was employed at Adventure Sport Technology (6C Composites) as a molder of carbon-fiber bows.
He recently embarked on a new career as an entrepreneur and released his first app for Android, “Astronaut: Collision Course”. Throughout his childhood and his adult life, Michael loved spending time with his family. Whether it was at the beach, backpacking, hiking to the top of Mt.
Nebo, or mountain biking, Michael loved every minute. It didn’t matter the adventure, he would leap at the chance to spend time in the outdoors and would never complain even when things went wrong. He has hiked, biked, skied, fished, hunted, and camped all over Utah as well as in most of the Western states, Hawaii, and Canada.
He also loved spending time with his girlfriend Mikaela Cruz and they brought great joy to each others’ lives. Michael approached everything he did with determination and meticulous care. He was an exceptionally hard worker and through his dedication taught himself many skills.
He learned auto restoration and was rebuilding a ’69 Chevelle. When his dog became ill, he researched veterinary medicine and learned how to nurse her back to health. He became an expert in nutrition and weightlifting and transformed himself from a lanky boy to a muscular young man who could bench press four hundred pounds which was twice his body weight.
Michael was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and faithfully attended meetings there. His relationship with God was a high priority for him and he was often found in his room on his knees in prayer. He had a kind and loving heart and was always accepting and non-judgmental.
He especially had a soft spot for animals, his nephews and niece, and anyone who was in need of help or protection. He was highly sensitive to the feelings of others, and when he asked how you were feeling, he would genuinely care about the answer. Michael’s last outdoor adventure was on Friday, January 18th.
He passed through the veil while backcountry skiing in Fairview Canyon, doing what he loved. He has now started his next great adventure on the other side, being reunited with his loving grandparents and others. His passing leaves his family with broken hearts but they look forward to being reunited with him one day.
Michael was preceded in death by grandparents Karma Besendorfer and James and Mildred Stringham. He is survived by his grandfather Moroni Besendorfer, parents James and Lila Besendorfer, siblings JaNae (John Payne), Steven (Kamala Kelley), Scott, Jason (Stephny Elsmore), nephews Charlie, Turner, Henry, Tyson, Judd, Braden, and niece Claire. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, January 23rd, at the Nephi 4th/5th Ward building, 345 E 500 N, Nephi.
Viewings will be held 1 hour prior to the service as well as on Tuesday, January 22nd, from 6-8 PM at Anderson Funeral Home, 94 W 300 N, Nephi.
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