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Colen Sweeten Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Colen Sweeten
Mark Evans
August 13, 2022
I appreciate his you tube contribution regarding the area around Malad.
Virginia Bennett
August 11, 2022
I still miss sweet Colen! Such a kind man and a gentleman. Such men get fewer and further between these days. Hard to believe 15 years have passed since he left us. Hugs and warm thoughts to his family!
C.J. Hadley
September 2, 2007
We loved Colen for countless reasons. He loved us more. I drop tears for him, but will always have a bigger smile. cj (RANGE magazine)
Rhonda & Will Stearns
August 25, 2007
Our acquaintance with Colen Sweeten was all too brief -- a few cowboy poetry gatherings where we were blessed to listen to his poems and stories and visit one-on-one with him. It was obvious at first meeting that he was an oldtime cowboy gentleman, a humble servant of God, and a good man to ride the river with. This old world and each of us who met him is better because he passed this way. We pray God comforts his family at this time of loss, and restores us all to fellowship at the Resurrection . . . there are lots more Colen stories we want to hear!
Michael Sweeten
August 25, 2007
One of my fondest memories of Uncle Colen occured when he wasn't even there. Kari and I went into her Grandpa's Cafe in Paris Idaho (Jack's Cafe), and after going in, I thought "This is just the kind of place that my uncle Colen would like". Then came the surprise of seeing one of his Poem's on the menu and his hat on the wall. He was a wonderful uncle and a true example of what a Christian and a Cowboy should be.
August 22, 2007
Colen was a man of many skills, and we loved his poetry, his stories, and his subtle sense of humor. He was a great gentleman of intelligence and sensitivity who dealt with family tragedy with grace. He was one of a kind. Dave Stanley and Nan McEntire.
Pat Richardson
August 21, 2007
Colen Sweeten was one of a kind. No one will ever replace him, and no one who ever knew him will forget him. He was a great writer and performer, but best of all he was a kind man and a great friend to everyone.
Belinda Gail
August 21, 2007
To Colen's precious family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you, I can only imagine the empty space his passing has left for all of you.
I have no doubt that you are all fully aware of what a treasure Colen was ... and is ... but I wanted you to know what a blessing he has been in my life!! I met him as I was just getting started in Western Music and by the time we finished that first visit he'd wrapped himself around my heart and we've been friends ever since. I have never been in his presence that he didn't make me smile and I have always come away feeling encouraged in my craft, and cherished as a friend.
I feel such a strange mix of sadness and joy at the news of Colen being called home. Sadness for those of us left behind, now deprived of his gracious smile and delightful wit and wisdom. And yet there is great joy for him because I believe that he is now in a place filled with deep peace and unfathomable love. I can imagine Colen regaling the angles with his delightful poems and stories and eagerly awaiting the time when we will, one by one, join him there. I am so thankful we have his poetry to ever remind us what a gift he was and is to all of us!!
Blessed Trails
Belinda and Frederic
Chris Isaacs
August 21, 2007
Colen was one of the Good Ones and he will be missed.
Jane Morton
August 21, 2007
Colen was such a gentle man, so sincerely honest, and a shining example for those who come after. We always visited at Kanab, and I'm glad I had that opportunity. My life is richer for having known him. My sympathy, my thoughts and my prayers go out to the family. He surely left a legacy.
Julene Kendell
August 20, 2007
To my second family
Dearest friends, Val and I were so sorry to hear about Colen's passing. A week and a half ago, we passed by Malad on our way to a family reuniun in Downey. What sweet memories flooded my mind as I thought of the special times I spent in your home during my college years. What a wonderful gift I was given when I was placed in an apartment with Susan at BYU. I was a scared freshman who thought university life would be terrible because I didn't get to room with my friend. Little did I realize that I was not only getting an eternal "bosom friend", but also a second family. Thank you for welcoming me with open hearts and arms.
Remember the time we came up for a weekend and you had to take me to the hospital because of severe stomach pains? And how about our movie night at the local theater. When the movie ended we were the only ones left. That was a shock for a southern California girl used to crowds. When Val came along, you welcomed him as part of the family, too. I still tease him about the summer after Bill was sent to Vietnam, when he looked like a polygamist with his two wives and two babies. It was fun to share that time with Susan and Crystal. One of us would babysit while the other attended classes at BYU.
Thank you for the gift of a tape and book of poetry. That will keep "dad" close to my heart. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all of those who have been blessed by his work.
We will be thinking of you this week and praying for that spirit of peace that only the comforter can give. May God continue to bless all of you.
Love, Julene
Curly Musgrave
August 20, 2007
I have always admired gentleness in a man, especially when coupled with strength of heart. I admire men who keep coming on when there has been much to overcome and who, even when it would be so reasonable and so easy to become lost in the self, continue to reach out to others and in doing so continue to find and build themselves. I admired, and admire, Colen.
It is not just our Western genre that has lost the presence of a wonderful and talented man...it is the world that is a little less because he has been called home. We will ALL have to work so very dilgently to grow into the example of talent and character Colen set for us.
Kathleen and I pray for his family in the time of grief and adjustment, while thanking them for sharing him with us during his sojourn here.
Curly and Kathi Musgrave
Shelley Barlow
August 20, 2007
Dear Sweeten Family,
It has been a long time since our family reunion, but it is a vivid memory for me. His Cowboy Poetry was one of my highlights. I think it was great to be with so many Sweeten's. I now know where our crazy and fun sense of humor comes from.
My sympathies to the family,
(Granddaughter of Gee and Glade Sweeten)
Virginia Bennett
August 20, 2007
I guess I've known Colen for about 18 years, and he was such a blessing in my life. He reminded me of my own Dad, he loved the old ways and honored the ones who went before him. At the poetry gatherings, he always wore a suit and was a shining example of what a ranch gentleman should be.
His stories were honest and true, and he brought all of us along for the ride. Audiences listened to his every word, and crowded 'round to meet him when the show was over. I'm proud to have known him and to have called him my friend. I loved him and will miss him so much. He was one of the really good ones!
My prayers and thoughts are with Ruth and all of the family.
Kay & Larry Gerber Gerber
August 20, 2007
We were so sad to get the news of Colen passing. Uncle Colin and Aunt Ruth were always glad to see us and our family when we dropped in to visit as we travel through Malad. When we visited with them over the years they have always asked out our family and how they were doing. It was fun to listen and watch him perform his poety and we surely look forward to meeting him on the other side of the veil. May you find peace in your journey ahead. With much Love.
kathy camden
August 20, 2007
Dear Ruth and family
I cannot think of Colen without a smile, a kind and gentle soul who loved all and will be missed
Charlie and Kathy Camden
Dale Whitney
August 20, 2007
To the Sweeten Family,
Colen was an inspiration to all who knew him. I had the privilege of performing with him at the Lehi Roundup and the Utah State Fair on many occassions. He and his stories and Cowboy Poetry will be greatly missed by us all. Dale and Karen Whitney, Bluffdale, Utah.
Dale Whitney
August 20, 2007
To the Sweeten Family,
Colen was an inspiration to all who knew him. I had the privilege of performing with him at the Lehi Roundup and the Utah State Fair on many occassions. He and his stories and and Cowboy Poetry will be greatly missed by us all. Dale and Karen Whitney, Bluffdale, Utah.
Scott Sweeten
August 20, 2007
Scott & Anna Sweeten
(Son of Gee & Glade Sweeten)
Lorraine Kling
August 20, 2007
Ruth and family; I'm so sorry to hear of Colen's passing. I'm so glad I was able to visit with you at the Hanks renioun. I'm thinking my mom, aunt Ora and Colen are having a great visit This is a hard time and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Laura Hauptman
August 20, 2007
Dear Ruth,
I am so sorry to hear of Colen's passing. It was always such fun to see both of you at family gatherings. I will never forget when we gathered at your house in Malad during the family reunion and Colen treated us to some Cowboy Poetry. He is a gem. Our prayers are with you and your sweet family.
Love,
Laura Hauptman and family
(Gee & Glade Sweeten's granddaughter)
Kim Stafford
August 19, 2007
Colen Sweeten was a hero to me--so soft spoken for his tremendous skill and grace as a writer, and his courage as a human being. He told me stories like I have never heard from anyone, stories with simple words and riveting conviction. He changed me as a writer and as a human being. I will always be grateful for the chance to know him.
Don Kennington
August 19, 2007
Dear Sweeten Family,
We were sorry to hear of the passing of our good friend and the patriarch of your family. He was a genuine cowboy, great poet, and example to everyone. He will be greatly missed be all who knew him.
Sincerely,
Don and Arlene Kennington
David Nemelka
August 19, 2007
We shared your love for cowboys, poetry and michael murphy music. We are sure you'll warm up the crowds in heaven with your poetry.
We'll miss you and we are glad we knew you.
Love, The Nemelka's Springville Utah
Jeff Coates
August 18, 2007
Dear Folks,
I am saddened to hear of Colen's passing. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word and a genuinely good man.
I am lucky enough to have had the opportunity to perform cowboy poetry with him. I always enjoyed his wit, wisdom , and skill as a poet. His poetry was always uplifting and entertaining.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
My family and I hope and pray you'll be blessed and comforted at this time of sorrow.
Bonnie Suerig
August 18, 2007
Dear Sweeten Family,
I got to know Colen while working for Michael Martin Murphey at his Westfests. Colen was an incredible Cowboy Poet but more important an incredible man and a wonderful friend. When I saw him last November in Heber City he took special time out to recite one of my favorite poems to my four year old granddaughter Ginger. He always made time to chat with me whenever I saw him. I know it was difficult for him the last few years to attend these cowboy gatherings with Ruth being so ill. A special hug to you, Ruth; you are a very lucky woman to have Colen for your life mate. I know you will be so lost without him but know that you will be reunited in the celestial kingdom of heaven. You are all in my prayers.
Joel & Sharon Murphy
August 17, 2007
Colen Sweeten is, and will always be, a local legend with Cowboy Poetry audiences throughout the intermountain west. We had the opportunity to be entertained by Colin on numerous occasions, as part of large audiences and small family get-togethers. He had a gift for describing ranch and cowboy life from his own unique perspective -- we will miss his keen wit and authentic interpretations. God Bless you Colin, and your family members as we all mourn your loss. We are proud to claim your daughter Susan and her husband Bill as good friends and neighbors.
Donna Christiansen
August 17, 2007
Colen has been a part of my life for about 18 years--ever since I began working for Dr. Merril Dayton. Colen always had a pleasant personality despite physical, emotional and spiritual challenges. He was free with a smile, an encouraging word and (always) a poem or two. In fact, we printed one of his poems (with Colen's permission) and gave to our patients upon "graduation" after their surgery. Colen will forever be missed by me, Dr. Dayton, and all of our patients who benefited from his experience, wisdom and wit.
Stacy Bliss
August 17, 2007
Mr. Colen H. Sweeten Jr. was a true gentleman. He was a true modern day pioneer. He was a very talented cowboy poet. I loved listening to his stories. My family met Colen many years ago traveling around Utah, doing cowboy poetry. He will be truly missed. Our deepest heart felt sympathy.
The Bliss Family
That's a fancy shirt, Dad!
August 17, 2007
Dad, the entertainer, teacher, leader, poet.
August 17, 2007
Geralyn (Ellis) Thomas
August 17, 2007
My family (Harold and Ioma Ellis of Pomona, California) met Colen Sweeten when I was almost 4 years old. He came to our home as a missionary for the LDS church and baptized my parents. We have five girls in our family, all of whom have been through the temple. I personally came to BYU in 1955 and in 1958 married Wayne Thomas from Malad who had a best friend named Lloyd Sweeten. We love Colen and Ruth and have enjoyed our relationship with the Sweeten family. Our best wishes, love and sympathy go to all of you and especially to Ruth for the loss of a wonderful friend. Love, Geralyn Ellis Thomas and Wayne W. Thomas
Hart and Sonja Sweeten
August 17, 2007
Dear Sweeten family; We are so sorry to hear of Colin's passing. It was so nice having him visit us at our home last summer and spend some time reminiscing about all of the old family times. We send our condolences to your family.Love Hart and Sonja Sweeten
Lance Sweeten
August 17, 2007
(Uncle Colen)
The last of the "Good old Boys"
We love you and will miss your stories and great humor.
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