Steven Paul “The Duke” Ukena

“Bigfoot is Safe”

Or just “Ukena”, as he was most commonly known, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.  He was born on Jan. 29, 1951 to Arthur and Iola Ukena. 

Just weeks B4 his 65th Bday, the world lost a great man, a real mans man (as he is often referred to) and teacher.  For a more capable and knowledgeable person I have never known; he could build, fix or mend ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING. From making candles to running million $ projects; from deviled eggs to broken hearts, he should have had a Masters degree in duct tape. LOL

His death will change many things…Bigfoot is now safe…Santa can deliver our gifts without doning his bullet proof vest, and the Easter Bunny is now free to hide eggs without dodging traps!  Oh and BTW…Budweiser stock will surely plummet! (We suggest selling now.)

Steve was a lover of many things in life.  His favorite saying being, “Life is Good” when he wasn’t busy fixing something or trying to catch something.  He was camping, fishing or on some type of adventure.  Even though his life was short, he made sure to get the very best and most out of it.  You could always count on a smile and a laugh, for he had an abundance of charm and charisma, and a real life twinkle in his eye.  He took fashion advice form no one; with his flannel shirts and perfectly coiffed trade mark “stashe”! XD

“Steven” was preceded in death by his mother, Iola; brother, Richard; and grandson, Arion Berkey

“Ukena” is survived by his father, Arthur Ukena; his siblings, Dale (Gale) Ukena, Lloyd (Jan) Ukena, Jill (Glen) Higley, and LeAnn Ukena.  Also bidding a fond farewell to “The Duke” AKA “Dad” AKA “grandpa” are his children, Paul Ukena, Tiffany (Josh) Berkey; and his four grandchildren, Tiger, Jessica, Ocean, and Willow.

How on earth do you say goodbye to your hero, someone you saw as larger than life, one whom you thought invincible?  Especially when they went too early and without warning?  Well by finally cracking open that special bottle of Crown Royal XR.  That was given to him for x-mas some 10 years ago and throwing him a goodbye party (his wishes “that bottle will only be opened for my wake” said he.) So that’s what we shall do at his place in West Weber after the services at 6 p.m. Most of us know said location, however it won’t be marked with life sized Godzilla this time. Haha… Please join us to celebrate a wonderful life and send him out how he wished. 

“Here’s to you dad, you’ll always be “bad to the bone” gonna miss you!!!” D:

Squiggs

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.  Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary.  Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Rd.