Mapleton City Grand Marshals

Grand Marshals John and Susan Frischknecht John and Susan Frischknecht first discovered Mapleton for themselves in 1977, as they searched for a special place to put down permanent roots. John had just completed his formal medical education and training and had arranged to establish a medical practice in County. They had spent time in Chicago where John graduated from Northwestern University School of Medicine and then relocated to Denver where he completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Cardiology. They had become acquainted during the time they were students at University. John had filled a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission, completed a stint in the Utah National Guard, and graduated from . They were married two years later in the Manti Utah Temple and set off for Illinois.

In the years that followed, they were blessed with four children, twins Andrea and Amy, next Todd, and then Miranda. Both Susan and John had experienced the opportunity of growing up in small rural towns, John in Manti where his family operated a sheep ranch and Susan in Gunnison, and they wished to provide a similar experience for their own children. After visiting many of the towns in southern Utah County, they determined that Mapleton was the place.

Upon moving to Mapleton, they felt welcomed with open arms and never looked back. It was a busy time for John as the only board-certified Cardiologist in the Provo area where he established the first Heart Program at Utah Valley Hospital and then later expanded it to Mountain View Hospital in Payson. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Utah Heart Association and Director over the Emergency Medical Services. He later spent four years in the Hospital Staff presidency at UVH. Mapleton is home to hundreds of generous volunteers, and the Frischknecht’s found the best way to get to know the local citizens was to become involved in what was happening around them. For the next 35-plus years they spent many hours participating in what was happening in the community, the schools, and programs in the surrounding areas that benefited the citizens of Mapleton. They became involved in local and school athletics participating in team support events and fundraising. John was instrumental in establishing the Booster Club at Springville High School, and Susan became involved in the Parent-Teachers Association at Mapleton School and SHS. She was also the President of the Springville/Mapleton Area PTA Council. Later she served several years on the Board of Directors for Nebo School District’s Nebo Education Foundation, the nonprofit organization committed to providing resources to enrich student learning.

Many of Susan’s most enjoyable opportunities came when she served as a piano accompanist providing music for many individuals, groups, programs, productions, choirs, and meetings, the most treasured being funerals where she was also privileged to listen to the wonderful eulogies and life stories of many of Mapleton’s founders and citizens. She enjoyed playing a passive role in Mapleton’s political process as she approached individuals, encouraging them to run for public office and supported their campaigns by making introductions, raising funds, and assisting in advertising.

The Frischknecht’s spent many 24th of July holidays working on committees and assisting with the parade and activities. Memorable hours were spent in the park those days visiting with old friends and participating in the traditions of Mapleton’s favorite summer event. Three more children joined the Frischknecht clan,

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Caleb, Ashley and Jonathan, and each child provided more opportunities to service the local schools and the community. John’s Medical practice allowed him to rub shoulders with many, and he developed wonderful relationships and friendships with hundreds of his patients and their family members who visited his office. When he finally retired his practice in 2013, what he missed most were those patients. In 2008, he was honored to be named Utah County Physician of the Year, and in 2009, he was selected as Utah Doctor of the Year. In 2012, John was presented the College Life Science Alumni Achievement Award. He is pleased to be living nearby his old alma mater and is an avid BYU sports fan.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John and Susan have had wonderful opportunities to work with and serve many in Mapleton. John was Bishop of the Mapleton 1st Ward and then President of the Mapleton Utah Stake for nine years. Susan enjoyed her service in the various ward and stake auxiliaries and was in a Stake Relief Society Presidency in a singles’ stake at BYU. They served together for four years at the Provo Missionary Training Center and then spent 18 months as fulltime missionaries in the Eastern Europe Area as Area Medical Advisors living in Kyiv, Ukraine. John is currently a Sealer in the Payson Temple and a Stake Patriarch.

John is past president of the Mapleton Chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers where he has established new friendships and enjoyed those activities that honor and preserve the memories of our pioneer ancestors. One of those projects involves maintaining some of the nearby monuments erected to pay homage to those who first settled in this area. He is delighted with the many hours that have been spent by the Mapleton Historical Committee in constructing a re-creation of a pioneer village in the city park and was fortunate to be involved just a bit in the process to raise funds to support that worthwhile project.

Susan says that she and John love Mapleton now just as they did in 1977. In addition to the seven children and their spouses, they enjoy 29 grandchildren and two precious “greats.” It has long been their desire to grow old here together, and she added, “I think that we already have. We are proud to call Mapleton Our Hometown!”

Honorary Grand Marshal Travis Boswell Travis was born in 1972 and at one year old was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome. Travis’s family was told that his life span would be no more than 5 years. Over 42 years later Travis continues to bless the lives of countless people with his loving personality. Travis has a love for Mapleton and the people that he has come to know over the years.

While spending his first weeks at Primary children’s hospital Travis grew obsessed with sirens on ambulances and fire engines. Ever since he has been blessed with the love and support of the Mapleton Fire Department. He has lived well beyond his predicted expiration and as a family we believe it is because he is living his dream of being a fireman! They have embraced him and made him a part of their department. God bless the Mapleton Police and Fire Department for their kindness, support, and love. We all get to share in his happiness and blessings.

Travis is well known to most Mapleton residents, partly because of his one-of-a-kind firefighter bicycle that he rides through town on. After putting in his morning shift at Reams in Springville, Travis will make his rounds to the Mapleton City office and the Public Safety Building before heading to the city park to wave at people as they drive by. There is no doubt that Travis has brightened the day of countless numbers of people. Travis is well known and loved by our Mapleton citizens, the Mapleton Public Safety Department, and of course, his family. Travis is a true Mapleton icon and is honored to represent Mapleton as the 2021 Mapleton Pioneer Day Honorary Grand Marshal.

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