4285 South 3600 West: The Rentmeister Family Homestead

4285 South 3600 West — The Rentmeister Family Homestead

The home once standing at 4285 South 3600 West was the center of family life for the Rentmeister family in Granger, Utah. Though the original structure no longer exists, replaced by a modern residence, its story reflects the determination, resilience, and community spirit of early 20th-century farm life.

Architectural History

Constructed around 1909, the Rentmeister home began as a modest single-cell dwelling with a hipped roof and wood siding. It likely served as part of a small farmstead, with double-hung windows allowing natural light into the simple interior. Over time, the house expanded with several additions, including a cross gable around 1950, which retained stylistic consistency with the original structure. One notable feature of the additions was a small stoop with a pediment and a multilight sliding window, giving the home a welcoming façade. The property also included a small wooden shed, a contributing outbuilding that hints at its agricultural past.

Though little of the original acreage remains, the house once functioned as the hub of a productive homestead, reflecting the lives of families who farmed the land in early Granger.

The Rentmeister Family

In the spring of 1937, Joseph Rentmeister, a Belgian immigrant, and his wife Sarah Larkin, a Logan-born daughter of pioneers, purchased the 20-acre farm and small home at 4285 South 3600 West. The house was humble—lacking indoor plumbing or central heat, with a large kitchen and bedroom, a pantry, and a tiny closet—but it became a home filled with warmth, faith, and hard work. Water came from a hand pump, and meals were simple, yet nourishing, prepared by Sarah over a coal stove.

Joseph, a tireless farmer, tended livestock and crops, while Sarah preserved fruits and vegetables each summer. The family adapted to the harsh conditions, often sleeping outdoors under shade trees to escape the summer heat. Their 1929 car sat unused after Joseph’s untimely death, and the family relied on neighbors or long walks to access town.

Community Support and Resilience

Tragedy struck on April 1, 1939, when Joseph was injured in a farm accident and passed away on April 5. Sarah, already ill, was left to care for young children, the youngest just six months old. The Granger community quickly rallied to support the family. Bishop Merrill Peterson checked in daily, neighbors assisted with childcare and chores, and the LDS High Priests organized the addition of a front room, furnace, and plumbing. Herman Nielsen helped with water lines and gifted livestock, while Alvin Baker provided chicks until the Rentmeister children could manage their own.

Through adversity, Sarah taught her children the values of work and responsibility. Even at five, her son Jay began milking cows and tending animals. The family’s resourcefulness extended to hand-feeding piglets in the kitchen, eventually selling them to purchase their first refrigerator—a device that lasted 27 years.

Legacy

While the original home no longer stands, the story of 4285 South 3600 West endures as a testament to pioneer spirit and community cooperation. The house was more than a structure; it was the center of a household defined by resilience, faith, and the support of neighbors. The Rentmeister family homestead represents the broader history of Granger’s evolution from farmland to a suburban neighborhood, preserving the memory of those who helped build the community.

Original Home

Home with additions.